Flying into the future with drones

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — More than 20 teens attended the Ag Innovators Experience to learn leadership, STEM, critical-thinking skills, and how drones work.

Monroe County 4-H’ers Hazel and Lila created a YouTube video to share their experience.

“After attending the AIE experience, each teen’s goal is to share with at least 50 other youth what they learned about drones,” said Lila.

“At the camp, we each received a Tello drone and programmed the drone using a phone app called DroneBlocks. We practiced flying them to targets across the room. We also conducted a drone bot project and made challenge mats that mimicked fields.”

The girls want other 4-Hers to know that drones can be a part of their future.

“For instance, 100,000 new drone-related jobs are expected in the U.S. by 2025,” said Hazel. “The greatest drone-related job growth will be in construction, agriculture, and emergency management systems.”

Indiana 4-H was selected to participate in the 2023 Ag Innovators Experience, sponsored by National 4-H Council and Bayer.