District IV—Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia
jaymarsh@ama-d4.org
3227 Pine Needles Rd., High Point NC 27265
Tel.: (336) 687-0973; www.amadistrict-iv.org
www.facebook.com/amadistrictIV
What is AMA’s future? Is it drones, Free Flight, Control Line, RC, or rockets? I don’t think it’s any one particular activity. It’s attracting youth into our organization involving all aspects of our hobby. No matter what you enjoy, you can help by introducing and promoting the marvel of flight to a young person.
District IV will once again sponsor a young person’s attendance at Camp AMA, held at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana, June 11-17, 2017. Please visit the AMA District IV website or Facebook page for details about how to apply. All entries should be sent to jaymarsh@ama-d4.org, and the deadline for submissions is May 21, 2017.
This month we have reports from several events involving youth. Associate Vice President Nic Burhans starts us off with a STEM Expo.
On January 28, 2017, at Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Virginia, we held the annual Northern Virginia ILITE STEM Expo with more than 1,800 attendees. We have held several STEM events at this school since 2014, which started out as Sky Robotics Camp.
We used the cafeteria and gymnasium areas for science-related crafts, computer operations, RC robotics-related computer programming, all-size artificial intelligence robotics demonstrations, and auto mechanics all relating to the use of the STEM components.
There were presentations all day for groups, families, and individuals.
We handed out AMA brochures and discussed the benefits of AMA membership—particularly AMA Youth memberships.
It was a fun day of meeting children of all ages (18 months to 89 years) and introducing them or continuing their interest and fascination in model aviation, which made it all worthwhile. We plan to return next year.
Jessy Brinson, a member of the Central Carolina RC Modelers (CCRC), brings us this report.
On November 5, 2016, CCRC assisted with the Boy Scout Old North State Council Jamboree. The theme for the event was Mission to Mars. Activities were designed around all phases of a mission from launch to landing and survival. Approximately 300 Scouts attended the event.
CCRC assisted with the search-and-rescue portion of the STEM event. Members set up an orienteering course to teach navigation on the Martian surface. Coinciding with this portion, Robert Still demonstrated how a drone could be used to locate a lost Scout. He discussed with the Scouts the type of cargo, such as medical supplies or a communication device, that the drone would need to carry out the mission.
Using a DJI Phantom quadcopter on loan from Anderson RC, Robert showed the Scouts how to use the display screen to search an area and locate a missing person.
The following report is from Glenn Simpers.
For many years, the Baltimore Area Soaring Society has mentored and judged Science Olympiad flying events in Maryland and has run a quality program. Club members hold a “teach the teachers” event, make up kits of competition gliders, and judge the regional and state flying events.
This program at Frost Middle School in Fairfax, Virginia, is in its fourth year. Billy Batkins has helped students with some laser-cut parts. Doug Griggs helps middle school kids build airplanes at Woods Middle School in Maryland. Billy leads the charge with both of his kids’ schools and other schools in the Richmond area on TSA flying events, and Joe Franco at West Potomac High School in Virginia, has building models as a part of his engineering courses and hosts local fly-ins.
Go fly and have fun safely.
