UND to host Drone Safety Day, high school drone training/racing experiences April 29-30

The University of North Dakota is hosting two major events this weekend, April 29-30, to expand the safe and legal use of drones in the region. The first event is a Drone Racing and Drone Safety experience for high school teachers and students – an event meant to connect those audiences to flight, drones and North Dakota’s aviation industry.

The second event, Drone Safety Day on Saturday, April 29, is meant for people of all ages. Participants can attend workshops on registering drones, drone rules, drone safety and how to become a recreational drone pilot, among other topics.

Also during Drone Safety Day, kids will have the chance to fly drones from 11 a.m. to noon in Robin Hall on the UND campus.

Drone Safety Day is free and open to the public. Media are welcome to attend the Drone Racing and Drone Safety experience for high-school students and teachers; for more information on the latter events, contact Leslie Martin, associate professor of aviation, at leslie.m.martin@UND.edu.

Drone Safety Day

This event will be held at Robin Hall on Saturday, April 29, with sessions scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon. As mentioned, the event is free and open to the public.

Participants will have the opportunity to register their drones, practice flying and learn about the rules and regulations that apply to recreational flying.

The schedule for Drone Safety Day follows:

8 a.m. – Registering your drone

8:30 a.m. – Understanding community-based organizations/benefits

9 a.m. – Learn about drone rules

10 a.m. – Having a safety plan to fly

10:30 a.m. – Trust and Train program: Becoming a recreational drone pilot

11 a.m. – Practice flying drones OR join a tour of UND Aerospace

Drone Racing and Drone Safety for high school students and teachers

Also on April 29-30, the University is hosting an educator experience and junior drone racing event as part of an ongoing Federal Aviation Administration Workforce Development grant. The grant funding covers the costs for travel, lodging, meals and UND Professional Development for Educators credit for participants statewide.

While Saturday is focused on education, both on the part of teachers and junior drone racers, Sunday is race day at Robin Hall. Both students and teachers will be able to compete in head-to-head matchups starting at 11 a.m. The public is invited to spectate the Sunday races.

The three-track structure for the weekend – involving drone racing, teacher education and Drone Safety Day – is part of an 18-month effort in partnership with the FAA. The partnership’s goals are to engage STEM teachers, provide tools to teach students about careers in aviation and offer hands-on flight experiences.

Also involved in the project with UND Aerospace are the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, the North Dakota Aviation Association and UND’s College of Education & Human Development.

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Media Contact: Leslie Martin, associate professor of aviation, leslie.m.martin@UND.edu