Yellowhammer Times

The Alabama Department of Transportation's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Team recently participated in the Crenshaw County Schools STEM Camp in Luverne, Alabama. The team aimed to provide students with interactive experiences that highlight the real-world applications of drone technology.

During the camp, students observed live drone flights and toured the Mobile Command Center. They also used First Person View goggles for an immersive experience. J.D. D’Arville, UAS Program Administrator, emphasized the importance of understanding drone technology's current impact on infrastructure. "We want students to understand that drone technology isn’t just futuristic, it’s already transforming the way we plan, build and maintain Alabama’s roads and bridges," said D’Arville.

Joining D’Arville were Michael Kyser, Stephen Brantley, Alexander Limbaugh, and Patrick Tripp. They shared their experiences from various UAS missions across Alabama. The initiative is part of a broader effort to inspire interest in STEM fields among young people.

The UAS team has been working with schools and universities to demonstrate how transportation intersects with technology. ALDOT's investment in modern tools aims to help future engineers, pilots, and planners consider careers in public service and infrastructure development.

For the UAS team, the message was clear: opportunities in drone technology are vast and growing.

Information from this article can be found here.