Anne Arundel County Public Schools Offer Hands-On UAS Class  



By Ashley Addington



ARINC has partnered with Anne Arundel schools in Maryland to launch a new unmanned aerial systems class for its high school students in an effort to grow and expand its science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) efforts.  



The course will teach students what unmanned systems are, how they function and how they can be used in today’s world. The class will incorporate aerodynamic fundamentals and aerospace content students have previously learned to help build a solid foundation. The course will cover in-depth information regarding flight dynamics, flight safety, and the theories behind telemetry, according to ARINC.



"The class is founded in science and engineering, but is still fun and interesting," said class co-developer and teacher Rolf Stefani, Senior Director of ARINC's Technology Innovation. "We go beyond theory to engage students by, for example, building and then actually flying small UASs to demonstrate the theory of flight. It's rather challenging to build your own UAS, and it exposes the students to a number of different disciplines. Our goal is to use innovative ways to teach highly complex subject matter that has applications in the real world."  



ARINC has provided the funds needed to purchase all of the equipment and supplies needed for the class.  



"Being based in Maryland, we feel like it is part of our corporate responsibility to support our schools wherever and whenever we can. We are proud to be contributing to the education of the future leaders of our community," said ARINC CEO John M. Belcher.  



The new UAS course will be the first of its kind in the country for high school students, the company says.