Drone Academy

“A week-long summer camp for 14 to 18 year olds, teaching the principles of software development by programming quadcopter drones.”

Drone Academy takes the NodeCopter model and re-invents it as a week-long software development summer camp for secondary-level students.

The program is an innovative technology-focused summer camp for students aged 14 to 18 years. Over the course of a week, pupils will be introduced to the javascript programming language by learning how to remotely control flying robots. Students will acquire a basic understanding of software development – including algorithms, software design and testing, as well as the use of command line interfaces, source control, and common tools such as text editors. “Soft skills” such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving will also be developed. At the end of the week teams will be expected to present their work to their peers.

Fig. 1: Participants at the first NodeCopter event in Berlin

Background
A group of A-level students from the Abbey Grammar School in Newry have been attending weekly after-school classes in web development for the last six months. Participants have been learning how to write software using industry standard tools, including technologies such as Ruby on Rails, javascript/HTML5, distributed source control, etc. This initiative has been co-organised by Brian Cleland, a researcher at the University of Ulster, and James Downing, a teacher at the Abbey Grammar. Following enquiries from parents about the possibility of a software-themed summer camp, the idea of Drone Academy (based on the “NodeCopter” model) was developed.

OUR PREVIEW!

Thank you Sam & mom Andrea for the demonstration!

The organisers of Drone Academy together bring a wealth of experience in IT, programming and event management.

• Brian Cleland (Tutor): Brian has over twenty years experience in the IT sector. Having spent the majority of his professional career in network support and IT management positions, he is currently working as a PhD researcher in the University of Ulster. Within the university he has developed a range of innovative software solutions for both research and industry-based projects, focusing primarily on web and mobile technologies. Brian also has extensive experience in organising small and large-scale events for technical and academic communities.

• Barry O’Hare (Tutor): Barry is a networking specialist with over 15 years experience in the IT sector. He has been responsible for the implementation of client services infrastructure for the EU, South America and Asia-Pacific regions for NASDAQ listed companies. Barry has worked closely with Brian as a technical advisor on a number of community-orientated digital projects, including the Newry Digital City Group and the Newry and Mourne Community Wifi initiative.

• Eve Earley (Co-organiser): Eve is a director of Neo Ireland Ltd. a social enterprise whose mission is to develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem taking full advantage of the resources unique to Newry’s M1 corridor location on the border. Her career development practice, Empowering Change includes The Business Hub, a co-working space currently home to start-ups and micro-businesses. The facility also serves as a base for training and educational outreach programs to support 21st century skill development and the “pre-incubation” of start-ups – turning ideas into livelihoods.