Hovering above farm pasture, construction sites and forest tree lines, drone imagery provides a birdseye perspective, with applications that are continuing to evolve across industries like agriculture, real estate and ecology. For students interested in the expanding field of drone imagery, The Evergreen State College offers the certificate program Flying and Mapping with Drones, with options at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This certificate offers a hands-on curriculum that encompasses practical skills related to drone piloting, image capture, editing and map formation, while also encouraging students to explore recreational and professional outlets.
Closely related to drone imagery is the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which can use images and data captured from drones to create comprehensive and interactive maps that are often used by businesses, city planners and ecologists. The Evergreen State College also offers an undergraduate and graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems.
Students Can Join the Growing Field of Drone Flying, Mapping and GIS at The Evergreen State College
The certificates, Flying and Mapping with Drones and Geographic Information Systems, are both part of the Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) program at Evergreen. Certificate coursework at Evergreen is crafted to help to support each student’s career and educational goals, and students do not have to be degree-seeking to enroll in a certificate program. Flying and Mapping with Drones may provide additional opportunities for students to incorporate a new skill set into their greater educational or career pathway, whether they hope to one day start a business or apply for work at a state agency.
A core part of the curriculum for certificate programs at Evergreen, including drone and GIS programs, is collaboration, teamwork and connection to real-world scenarios. Drone and GIS coursework at Evergreen also emphasizes the importance of adaptability as drone and GIS technology continue to advance. Students do not need previous drone experience to enroll in the Flying and Mapping with Drones certificate program, and information builds upon itself.
Drone coursework at Evergreen briefs students for the FAA “Part 107” Exam, which covers topics like radio frequencies, weather patterns and airspace. There is also weekly practice with piloting and maneuvering drones. Many drones are fueled by a set of propellers, and are able to capture imagery at varying altitudes with a pilot making commands from the ground, offering versatile camera angles and specialized techniques to collect data about land, buildings, neighborhoods, waterways and wildlife below.
The Evergreen State College campus includes open field space that is an FAA-Recognized Identification Area, where students are allowed to fly drones no higher than 400 feet of altitude. According to Mike Ruth, a member of the faculty (GIS and Drones) at Evergreen, coursework will begin with more basic moves like takeoff and landing before students rehearse more advanced maneuvers that require faster speeds or higher altitudes of flight. Students are also instructed on drone flight safety and regulations, which includes learning to interpret an FAA sectional chart to understand open and restricted airspace for drones.
Drone photography, videography and geographic information systems also have creative applications, including as a tool to help students highlight their personal interests. Through the drone and GIS certificate programs at Evergreen, many students build a strong portfolio that includes projects in ArcGIS Story Maps, which may combine elements of drone imagery, history, data and music into a single multimedia presentation. Evergreen students have formed Story Maps around local and global topics, ranging from wildlife in the Cascade Mountain Range to farming in the Caribbean.
Evergreen Students Learn New Skills and Build a Portfolio Through Evergreen Drone and GIS Courses
Leslie Mason is a current Evergreen student, working toward an undergraduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems. So far, Mason has completed numerous courses, including GIS: Introduction and Principles, GIS: Mapping in Excel, and GIS: Story Maps and Apps.
Mason had previous experience studying film at the Seattle Film Institute, which morphed into an interest in drone photography and videography at Evergreen. After becoming immersed in drone and GIS coursework, Mason soon realized how drone imagery, mapping and geographic information systems can be used as tools to enhance storytelling.
Although Mason began GIS courses without a science background, she has risen to the challenge to build up a new skill set in capturing drone imagery and conveying information through maps, and has built a solid portfolio of map and multimedia projects.
Through the course GIS: Introduction and Principles, Mason created a map of the Evergreen campus, highlighting the location of buildings, key offices and distance to parking areas. Through the course GIS: Analysis with ArcGIS Pro, Mason learned how to analyze large amounts of geographical data, which culminated in a map project that analyzed wolf packs in Washington State. Mason’s career goals have shifted as she has learned more about the capabilities of GIS. As an animal enthusiast, Mason now has dreams of combining her new skill set with wildlife conservation in her future career path.
“If there’s anybody that’s thinking about doing something like this, don’t be afraid of a challenge,” says Mason. “And it’s totally worth it. Applying yourself and putting the work in is so worth it in the end.”
To learn more about drone flying, mapping and GIS courses at The Evergreen State College, visit The Evergreen State College website.
Sponsored
