Drone class soars in popularity at Red Rock Central High

By LAURA COLE

The Land Staff Writer

Experiential learning is the concept of learning by doing. It’s a common approach at Red Rock Central High School, and it was witnessed in action on a recent Friday morning.

The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the school’s newest ag class, “Flying Sky High with Drones;” but it was impossible not to also notice the class of welding students about to cook their lunch on a recent grill project, and in another area, a student working on improvements to his duck blind. A quick walk through the “Fab Lab” revealed a range of works in process including 3-D printed art and personalized engraved signs to be hung outside the teachers’ classrooms.

To further experiential learning by adding a hands-on drone class to the ag curriculum made good sense to colleagues Leonard Runck and Rachel Moe. Runck is the school’s technology coordinator and Moe teaches ag and serves as the FFA advisor. “It really fits in perfect with what we’re doing here,” Moe stated.

Located in Lamberton, Minn., Red Rock Central serves about 425 students in grades PreK-12 primarily from Redwood and Cottonwood Counties. Moe estimated the school’s FFA program has about 50 members.

“It’s ag here,” Runck stated, commenting that a lot of the drone use in the area is by crop consultants or regarding farming in some manner. Moe said many of the students in the class have a connection to agriculture, and so the knowledge received from this latest course offering can likely become a trade skill.

“It’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and it’s Career and Technical Education,” Runck stated of the drone class.

The course is designed to teach students how to properly fly drones, as well as to prepare them to take the Federal Aviation Administration’s knowledge test for Unmanned Aircraft General - Small. In order to obtain the Part 107 license to fly drones under 55 pounds, this test must be passed with at least a score of 70 percent.

Students will take a practice test in class that will be similar to what they can expect on the actual exam day. “We’ll cover all the material; we’ll get them ready,” Moe stated. “But it’s going to be up to them in the summer or whenever they choose to actually take the test.”

Both Runck and Moe have taken the test and are well aware of the preparation required in order to be successful. To take the test, an appointment must be scheduled with an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. Individuals have two hours to answer 60 questions covering topics such as regulations, airspace and requirements, weather, loading and performance, and operations. Besides the time and possible travel involved, Moe stated the test comes with a price tag. The testing fee is $175, and drone registration is $5 per drone. Unlike obtaining a driver’s license, there is no “behind the wheel” portion. Runck reported that even with putting in time to study, it was one of the hardest tests he’s taken. Moe participated in a class over Zoom to prepare. She acknowledged the curriculum she teaches is intensive, and while she could have opted to brush the surface, it’s important to her the class is taught right. “We want them to get the best experience possible,” she stated. Runck chimed in, “And pass that test if they’re going to lay 180 bucks down.”

Besides studying for her own test, Moe went through additional training to prepare for the teaching aspect. “It was important for her to go out to be able to deliver that pedagogy to the kids,” Runck stated.

Red Rock Central implements curriculum provided by Sky Op. Moe traveled to New York for one week to receive hands-on training with a professional instructor. “It actually was a one-on-one experience, so I could ask all the questions I needed,” she stated.

Because drone pilots must be at least 16 years old, the class is offered to juniors and seniors. It is one semester in length and the curriculum is designed for 10 students. The class’s first session began this spring semester with full enrollment and a waiting list.

The popular opinion among the current students is that flying the drones is the most fun, while deciphering the map work is the most challenging. Sectional charts provide an array of navigational data, including the information needed to ensure the pilot is lawfully operating their drone in that particular area.

“There’s so many little circles — especially in the inner city — that gets complicated,” junior Jake Jackson explained. Because Lamberton is in a more rural setting without an airport in the area, there are less restrictions for drone pilots. However, test-takers need to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding.

Jackson’s family farms corn and soybeans and also has a cattle operation in Cottonwood County. He plans to have a career in farming of his own, and can already see a use in flying drones for land surveying, detecting wet spots prior to planting, as well as checking on cows in bad weather.

Jackson stated they were able to download apps at the beginning of the semester that have helpful uses, including a basic checklist they utilize before operating the drone. Students have to be aware of things such as weather conditions and battery levels. Moe noted that psychological factors are important for drone operators to consider as