Yesterday it was ‘selfies.? Today it’s ‘dronies.?
That’s how Romeo Durscher, director of education for Da-Jiang Innovations (DJI) the manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones for aerial photography and videography, referred to a picture of Brandon High School students who gathered on Wednesday in the performing arts center. Durscher operated the drone that hovered about 20 feet over the class for the presentation from the DJI spokesperson.
‘It’s the year of the drone,? said Durscher, suggesting students look up and wave at the small drone. ‘Forget the selfie stick, we can do much better with a drone.?
Durscher works for DJI, a worldwide company headquartered in the Shenzhen Guangdong province of China, with offices in California who sent the representative at the request of Justin Dickerson, a BHS special education teacher. Dickerson’s class includes students with autism spectrum disorders or cognitive impairments who learn English language arts and math along with career skills in his courses.
‘Last year we had really good success in the students? academics,? said Dickerson. ‘Most students improved a full grade level in ELA and math. So this year, in addition to academics, I wanted to concentrate on ‘real life? skills. I knew coding was huge and stretched across multiple platforms.?
Coding is the process of writing and designing codes for computer applications such as phone apps.
‘I started the students out with Dash & Dot, robots that teach the basics of coding. Within weeks the kids were doing basic programming,? he added. ‘They started writing code in an attempt to build their own apps, like on an iPhone. All of my students were able to write their own app.?
Jarod Franklin, 16, a BHS sophomore and a student in Dickerson’s class, said the coding skills were challenging yet rewarding.
‘At first it was tough to learn coding in the class,? said Franklin. ‘But after I did it for awhile it became a lot easier. Then I could see other applications for coding for more games and other programs. Then I began teaching other students how to code. Some day, after graduation from high school, I’d like to continue coding and use that knowledge to code drones then apply what I know in the military.?
The lessons in coding for drones sparked significant student interest and national attention when the class activities were shared on social media, added Dickerson.
‘We then moved on to a ‘floor drone? in which some of my students were able to use more advanced skills,? he said. ‘I then figured the next logical step was flying drones. Not only can coding or programming be used for them, but also photography, videos, and 3D mapping. ‘Our goal is to have a full drone program in which special education and Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) students can work together on valuable skills that have real world application. This is where DJI entered the picture.?
Dickerson was contacted by DJI ,who sent Durscher, a native of Switzerland and former NASA employee, to demonstrate some of the technology of drones to the class. During the three-hour visit Durscher emphasized how drones are rapidly becom-ing a part of everyday life in a variety of applications.
‘It’s the year of the drone,? said Durscher. ‘Our goal at DJI as we reach out to the world is to help the public understand the positive applications and uses of drones. And, to dispel many misconceptions of drone usage such as privacy issues and ‘Big Brother is watching? that seems to come up. Yes, drones are used in the military for a variety of field uses including reconnaissance missions, however, that’s just one application. Conversely, drones also can be used to create 3-D maps, safely inspect expansive infrastructure such as dams and high voltage lines, and to search remote areas from high distances for missing people. Some African countries have used drones equipped with sound to ward off elephants that are destructive.?
Jobs are also a big part of the growing technology, he emphasized.
‘The industry as it grows will need coding support, manufacturing and a host of engineers to take drones to the next level,? he said.
Durscher added that in communities in Oakland and Genesee counties, agricultural use for drones would be a great application.
‘Right now drones are used to fly over fields and photograph or video crops providing a new look at fields,? he said. ‘The knowledge helps farmers determine where crops are growing well or problems exist.?

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