GEMS Education pilots drones programme within school network

GEMS Education has launched an education programme using drones withing its school network. GEMS Dubai American Academy along with Jumeirah College will be pioneering the program and focusing on specific aspects that meet school requirements and opportunities such as embedding the programme within the curriculum and/or as an extracurricular activity.

The curriculum will involve an integrated training programme that includes a Ground School (Flight Theory, Safety and Regulations), Simulator Training (competency based training based upon minimum proficiency standards) and Flight Training (actual real-time operation of drones).

Michael Gernon, senior vice president, global head of innovation, research and development, GEMS Education said: "There is a current and future need to train not only drone pilots, but solution experts and engineers. Bringing a new perspective into academics and learning, incorporating drones in education can help motivate students put their curiosity into good use in addition to the rich educational environment it can provide. The programme will help equip students with vital cross curricular skills required to encourage problem-solving and analytical thinking in real-world scenarios."

The programme will be made available for middle and high school students. However, there will be opportunities for younger students to take up certain aspects of the study – programming, stable flight with small drones and build dummy projects etc.

Currently, the minimum age to grant official permits to fly drones outdoor is 16 years. However, an educational permit will be introduced where students will be allowed to use facilities at specific times under the presence of a commercially qualified pilot.,