What Students Learn

Students learn about real-world drone-assisted rescues, such as using lures to save stranded animals in hazardous environments. They explore the complexities of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) flight, learning to rely on onboard cameras and teammate communication to navigate obstacles and land accurately. The lesson emphasizes iterative design, balance in engineering attachments, and the critical role of a visual observer in emergency response.

What Students Do

After a "Guess Who?" icebreaker to build community, teams choose between engineering a "Harness Rescue" to hook and pull a paper dog or a "Sausage Lure" to guide it to safety across simulated mud flats. Students then transition to a Search & Rescue challenge where pilots are physically obstructed from seeing the course. Using two devices, they must collaborate with a visual observer to navigate a 3x3 grid of landing pads and score points based on pad values. The session concludes with an equipment inventory and reflection on the difficulties of flying without direct line-of-sight.