Girls had a chance to fly their own drones on Monday at the Digital Skills Roadshow at Mount Isa Civic Centre, while others learnt coding or made friends with robots.
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Students from Healy State School, Good Shepherd Catholic College, and Mount Isa Special School took part in ‘The Robots Are Coming’ with Tyler Wellensiek from the State Library of Queensland.
Mr Wellensiek showed off his all-singing all-dancing NAO robot, who performed a convincing rendition of the 2012 sensation ‘Gangnam Style’.
Students were asked what their future careers might be, and learnt that robotics can be useful to all, with technology on our phones, tablets, computers, cars – everywhere.
In another room, young students from Boulia learnt the basics of coding from Coding Kids instructor, Emily de la Pena.
Instructor Kellie-Ann Robinson runs ‘She Flies’, a fantastic program giving girls hands-on experience flying micro drones for the first time in a safe, controlled environment.
Grade 7 to 9 students from Healy State School and Good Shepherd Catholic College heard about the history of drones, and some amazing women that work with drone technology today.
Students learnt how drones can be used to help people, how to control a drone safely and understanding how they can be coded for use in real-life situations, such as mapping an area for post-emergency assessment.
The program is designed to inspire them to find opportunities in their school and community to explore STEM pathways.
Flight crews were asked the following safety questions:
- Are we three nautical miles from an airport?
- Are we clear of animals and/or property?
- Are we clear of overhead obstructions?
- Have we got a clear site for take-off and landing?
- Do we have an alternative landing site?
- Have we got safety signs erected?
- Co-pilot – pick up your drone and inspect the frame for cracks or loose parts.
- Do the propeller blades spin freely?
- Run your fingers along and check for cracks or bends.
- Check for loose wires.