The Drones program at Randolph-Macon Academy takes a forward-thinking approach to education. The innovative course focuses on applying UAS technology to a real-world context by delivering hands-on experience flying drone platforms. In using these systems, students gain a working knowledge of drone aircraft and the regulatory environment that surrounds them. At our prep school, we aim to give students opportunities that inspire their passion and drive for the future. Drone Applications at R-MA offers a holistic approach to study that builds curiosity, practical experience, and long-term skills. Here at R-MA, we are proud to provide our students with a unique opportunity that opens the doors to a field of the future. Read on for a closer look at what instructor Brian Kelly (pictured above) and his students have to say about the program!
Delivering Hands-On Skills
One of the many highlights of the Drones program at R-MA is the application of practical skills. Students receive first-rate training in basic and advanced flight maneuvers and cross-country navigation techniques. In the process, they get to grips with the delicate balance of aerodynamic forces at play in unmanned aircraft systems. Brian Kelly has been the director of the Unmanned System Lab at our coed private school since 2019. “The process is very hands-on and in a way represents the tip of the spear in R-MA’s approach to project-based learning,” he says. “The average student going through the program will come out with a skill set equal to professional experience in the field. It’s this diversity of experience across applications that really sets the R-MA program apart.”
Using a number of different drone platforms, students engage in projects such as monitoring the algae blooms along the Shenandoah River and liaising with governmental departments on research. Of her experience in the program, Grade 11 student Elizabeth Markov says, “I’ve learned professional communication skills reaching out to companies and agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture.” Students work with community partners to conduct meetings, ask questions, and solicit feedback on the services they provide.
The process also delivers essential academic skills that students can apply in the classroom and beyond. “During my time in the Drones II program, our group has to gather information on the problems at hand,” says Grade 10 student Caleb Wilson. “Research is done for many things and improving this vital skill will help us out in the real world.”
Supporting Student Learning at Our Prep School
As students reach their goals in the program, they gain the confidence, self-esteem, and curiosity to broaden their future. The Drones program takes a student-centered approach to learning, where firsthand experience and personal responsibility are top priorities. Instructor Brian Kelly is there to guide students in discovering their full potential in the field. “Quite simply I challenge them. I challenge them to take technology designed for one purpose and ask ‘how can this be applied to other problems?’” says Mr. Kelly, adding, “This keeps them curious because they are constantly identifying problems and developing solutions.”
With individual guidance from their instructor, group exercises, and exposure to community partners in the industry, students have multiple resources to learn from. “Mr. Kelly is the best at what he does,” says Elizabeth Markov. “He gives us creative control on designing projects and experiments and truly makes it feel like our class.” The freedom to take the lead in their learning experience is an important part of preparing students for future success. “Mr. Kelly lets us work through our disagreements and grow from that,” adds Grade 10 student Van Damiani. “We are able to further understand our teammates and how we can work together.” By overcoming new challenges, students at our prep school develop the resilience to see them through their academic and professional careers.
Expanding Opportunities for the Future
The Drones program is a future-forward experience. The drone industry is growing rapidly, with an increasing demand for professionals who have experience using various platforms and technologies. Through real-world projects, R-MA graduates are positioned to take advantage of this emerging market. “At the ground level, students are boarding a rapidly moving technological train,” says Mr. Kelly. “The odds are drones will be affecting their lives and, in their careers, they will be using or benefiting from drone collected data.”
Upon completing the program, students will earn an FAA license and get hands-on experience flying drones under their belt. Not to mention, community projects offer students hands-on fieldwork. “You have opportunities that no other program has. You are able to interview and work with government departments like the USDA and the DEQ,” says Grade 10 student Gabriel Vea. With partners that include industrial drone manufacturers, academic institutions, and UAS Data Analysis Engineers, R-MA connects students with a pathway into the future of this technology.
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