CORUNNA, Mich. (WILX) - Students at Corunna High School recently took a significant leap into the future of agriculture after receiving a brand new nine-foot drone, following their success in a commercial contest. This innovative technology is set to revolutionize how agricultural fields are examined and treated, offering exciting new opportunities for both learning and practical farming.
According to Patrick Springer, the class's teacher, "The drone industry in collaboration with agriculture, the sky is the limit in how they’ll be used.” This sentiment underscores the vast potential of drones in modern farming, reshaping the landscape of agricultural education. The drone, provided by Pegasus Robotics, features advanced capabilities that allow students to engage actively with the material they are learning.
Junior Kane Cieslak shared his enthusiasm, stating, "It’s definitely a lot bigger than you would think; it has a lot of things you can do with it. You can make it go autonomous and fly itself or you can fly it manually. It has the ability to spray both liquid and solid fertilizer on the fields and help with crops and all of that.” This dual functionality opens up numerous educational avenues, encouraging students to explore the technical aspects of drone operation and the science behind agricultural processes.
Moreover, the drone is capable of holding up to 14 gallons of fertilizer, lifting 110 pounds, and flying at speeds of 30 miles per hour while spraying fertilizer. This elegant design not only facilitates agricultural practices but also enhances the hands-on learning experience that educators aim to provide. Josh Robinson, Chief of Operations with Pegasus Robotics, pointed out, “This isn’t just tractors and semis anymore. There’s a lot of technical things that are going on.” His observation highlights a critical evolution in the agricultural industry, merging traditional farming techniques with cutting-edge technology.
To secure the drone, students creatively produced a 60-second commercial emphasizing why their Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter deserved the drone. Sophomore Charles Murphy reflected on the broader implications of this acquisition, noting, "It’ll bring new opportunities to all of our classes so they can take trips out to our land lab and they learn about the drone and more chemicals and plant science, it’ll be really cool for all kids.” This statement illustrates the potential for interdisciplinary learning—merging science, technology, and agriculture in practical applications.
As the educational landscape continues to evolve, tools like this drone pave the way for engaging and relevant learning experiences. Not only does it provide students with valuable skills needed for the future workforce, but it also allows them to actively participate in the ongoing transformation of agricultural practices. The marriage of technology and agriculture is not merely a trend; it's becoming a necessity in the face of global challenges.
In the end, this drone represents a significant step forward for Corunna High School's agricultural program, catalyzing a new wave of educational strategies that focus on innovation and hands-on experience. Students today are not just learning about agriculture; they're becoming part of its future—a future where technology plays a pivotal role in cultivating the land.
