Lisa Marie Payne
UTICA, NY – The SUNY Academy of Model Aeronautics (SUNY AMA) Student Club and CNY Drones will host an introductory drone program for 19 middle school students from China on Sunday, January 27th in the SUNY Polytechnic Institute Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing. The students, age 13 – 15, are part of a travelling STEM program through Bright Vision Education Group based in Shandong China. The program goal is to help students discover the basics of drone safety, drone components and flying principles. Using small, palm-sized, indoor drones and hover-craft vehicles, students will rotate through a series of fun and competitive exercises. This is the second-time SUNY AMA and CNY Drones have hosted the traveling camp program. In July 2018, 27 Chinese students participated in an introductory flying program inside Wildcat Field House. “It’s been a great partnership,” according to SUNY AMA Club Advisor & CNY Drones Volunteer Coordinator, Bob Payne. “Our programs give college students an opportunity to mentor and potential future students an opportunity to visit the Utica campus.”
CNY Drones is a community-based organization providing drone-focused STEM programs. Interactive exhibits, flying sessions and workshops feed into their annual low-cost team competition for students age 11 – 18. CNY Drones works regularly with SUNY AMA to provide STEM outreach, often traveling throughout New York State. In addition to introductory programs, the groups work together to provide fast-paced indoor and outdoor MultiGP racing events and tech meets to grab student interest. SUNY AMA is one of the most active student clubs on SUNY’s Utica campus.
CNY Drones exists fiscally under the Griffiss Institute, a 501c3. The group relies on annual corporate sponsors and donations at all levels to maintain their drone and presentation equipment.
For information on CNY Drones visit https://www.cnydrones.org or email: CNYDrones@gmail.com