Source: Torey Earle, Extension specialist for 4-H Youth Development, Science, Engineering and Technology 

 

With help from 4-H, youth across Kentucky are picking up a new kind of controller—one aimed at taking their career prospects in the expanding field of STEM technology to the next level. 

The 4-H Drone Project provides young people with knowledge and hands-on experience in both piloted and autonomous drone technology. In addition to teaching participating youth how to pilot drones, the program is also designed to spark interest in exciting practical applications for high-demand computer science and coding skills.  

The project’s would-be drone pilots and programmers engage in real-life problem-solving scenarios that promote teamwork and communication skills. Guided by a curriculum developed by the University of Illinois, The Ohio State University, PITSCO Education and Robolink’s Codrone.edu, the project also encourages young people to learn more about emerging innovative uses for drones to improve quality of life. 

The U.S. economy is expected to add more than 100,000 new jobs in unmanned aircraft systems and drone technology by 2025, according to estimates from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (UVSI). UVSI also projects that the cumulative economic impact of unmanned aircraft systems integration in Kentucky alone from 2015 through 2025 will reach $537 million. Drone programmers and operators are employed in multiple industries, including agriculture (farm scouting and crop mapping), business (delivery, insurance, property inspection, and public utilities), public service, military and first response emergency service, journalism, entertainment and more. 

With drone usage expected to grow even more in the future, getting youth interested early and educating them on the proper and safe use of drone technology could give them an edge in employability.  

Currently, 4-H professionals, program assistants and volunteers from 15 Kentucky counties have received training and are in the process of launching pilots for the project, with two counties having secured more than $8,000 in local funding for their initiatives. In addition, more than 175 Kentucky youth have experienced the Kentucky 4-H Drone Project through workshops conducted by the Kentucky 4-H SET Leadership Board at the 2022 and 2023 Kentucky 4-H Teen Conferences and at 2023 and 2024 Drone Day camps conducted with the Challenger Leadership Center in Paducah, Ky. Two additional 4-H drone educational in-service events will be held in the West Central and East Central regions in April 2025 to encourage more counties to take part. 

Funding for the addition of more 4-H Drone Project pilot counties is available through the Kentucky 4-H Foundation. Plans are also in the works for a possible 4-H Drone Challenge to be held in Cloverville at the 2025 Kentucky State Fair, if proper permissions can be secured. 

To get involved or find out more about 4-H Drone Project opportunities in your area, contact your local (COUNTY NAME) Extension office.  

 

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