CENTRAL NEW YORK – CNY Drones is giving a drone kit and Rig Rescue Challenge Scholarship to a rural or inner-city team from Oneida or Herkimer County. Central New York’s first low-cost, open STEM-based Team Drone Challenge is set to take place in the SUNY Polytechnic Institute Campus Center Gym on April 15, 2018 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Local team mentors with teams in need of resources can fill out a short questionnaire on the CNY Drones website, www.cnydrones.org. Scholarship will be awarded based on need and commitment level. The scholarship includes the $50 competition registration fee, a drone with camera, radio controller and a set of First Person View goggles. Scholarship value is approximately $150. Deadline to enter is Noon on March 13, 2018. Award recipient will be notified by March 15, 2018 and the package will be given to the deserving team on Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Utica Jewish Community Center. Those considering joining this year’s drone competition at SUNY Polytechnic Institute can attend the free meeting at the Utica Jewish Community Center on March 16, 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
On April 15, 2018, the public is invited to view Rig Rescue competition rounds, take part in interactive STEM exhibits and pick up drone safety information. A test flight zone, flight simulator zone and an Experience FPV (First Person View) zone will be available for spectators in between team flights. The event is a community project, hosted by the SUNY Polytechnic Institute Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) University Model Aviation Student Club with the assistance of the CNY Drones Model Student Aviation Club. The STEM event is a day of learning, sharing, competing and networking with local drone enthusiasts, engineers, and educators. Academy of Model Aeronautics and FAA safety information as well as MultiGP Drone Racing information will be available. The competition take place in a 30-foot by 60-foot netted drone competition arena with teams individually flying rounds using 500mm drones. This year’s challenge theme, Rig Rescue, is based on a story of a malfunctioning off-shore oil platform. Teams will be dispatched to navigate through shark infested waters to help secure the facility and retrieve platform workers and data. The competition follows the framework for Next Generation Science Standards using 9 challenging elements. Rig Rescue is part of CNY Drones’ efforts to promote STEM, provide awareness of drone technology educational and employment opportunities and build a safe flying recreational drone community. Half of the anticipated teams are currently registered for the 10-team event.
Those with questions regarding the scholarship or competition registration can contact CNY Drones via email: cnydrones@gmail.com or leave a message at 315-732-1001.