Integrating Unmanned Arial Vehicle Data Analysis Credentials into a Geospatial Science and Technology Degree Program

该项目将开发一个新的基于标准和行业验证的数据分析课程，将无人机（UAV）集成到现有的地理空间技术学位课程中。无人机技术的创新增加了可收集的数据类型和数量，供农业、执法、环境监测和修复以及公用事业等行业使用。 然而，为了向这些行业提供信息，必须对收集的数据进行分析和解释。最近纽约州和私营企业在纽约中部的投资增加了对无人机相关研究、开发和创新的需求。这也增加了对无人机数据分析和解释技术人员的需求。该项目将开发新的可堆叠证书，包括微型证书和证书，将嵌入地理空间科学与技术应用科学副学士学位。 这些证书将被设计为满足传统学生，成人学习者和行业的需求。该项目还将发展应用学习、推广和参与活动，以扩大对该方案的参与，包括妇女和经济弱势个人的参与。 通过这种方式，该项目有可能增加进入无人机/地理空间技术劳动力的人数和多样性，他们可以拥有稳定的职业生涯，报酬高于生活工资水平。该项目旨在满足行业对具有分析和应用地理空间和无人机收集数据能力的技术人员的需求，并扩大该领域的参与。该项目将开发一个新的无人机数据分析课程，其中包括一个24学分的证书课程和一个三门课程的微证书，这两门课程都将嵌入到地理空间科学与技术（GST）应用科学学位课程的副学士学位课程中。GST学位课程包括地理信息系统，遥感，制图和定量分析课程，这些课程将得到新的无人机课程的支持和补充。该项目将进行课程开发（DACUM）分析，并使用结果来开发可堆叠的凭据。DACUM的成果将与国家地理空间技术卓越中心共享，并作为开放资源提供给其他学术机构。该项目还将开发新的数据集和无人机数据分析实验室练习，以使用配备各种传感器的无人机收集原始数据。 不同的数据将用于向学生介绍他们将在不同行业领域分析的广泛问题，例如使用无人机技术确定苹果树真菌的程度或检查公用事业线路。 该项目将通过开发信息材料，通过雇主合作伙伴对在职工人进行宣传，并扩大学院与纽约锡拉丘兹当地9-12高中的合作关系，招募新学生进入GST和无人机数据分析，该高中83%的学生有资格获得免费午餐，并被纽约州教育部列为“经济弱势”。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project will develop a new standards-based and industry-validated data analytics curriculum that integrates unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into an existing geospatial technology degree program. Innovations in UAV technology have increased the types and volume of data that can be collected for use by industries such as agriculture, law enforcement, environmental monitoring and remediation, and utilities. However, to inform these industries, the collected data must be analyzed and interpreted. Recent investments by New York State and private industry in Central New York have increased the demand for UAV-related research, development, and innovation. It has also increased the demand for technicians skilled in UAV data analysis and interpretation. This project will develop new stackable credentials, including a micro-credential and certificate, that will be embedded within an associate of applied science degree in Geospatial Science and Technology. These credentials will be designed to meet the needs of traditional students, adult learners, and industry. The project will also develop applied learning, outreach, and engagement activities to broaden participation in the program, including participation of women and economically disadvantaged individuals. In this way, the project has the potential to increase the number and diversity of individuals entering the UAV/geospatial technology workforce, where they can have stable careers with compensation that is higher than the living wage level. This project aims to meet industry needs for a technical workforce with competencies in analyzing and applying geospatial and UAV-collected data, as well as to broaden participation in the field. The project will develop a new UAV-data analytics curriculum that includes a 24-credit certificate program and a three-course micro-credential, both of which will be embedded within a Geospatial Science and Technology (GST) associate of applied science degree program. The GST degree program includes courses in geographic information systems, remote sensing, cartography, and quantitative analysis that will be bolstered by and complement the new UAV curriculum. The project will conduct a Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) analysis and use the results to develop the stackable credentials. The DACUM results will be shared with the National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence and made available as an open resource to other academic institutions. The project will also develop new data sets and UAV-data analytics lab exercises to collect raw data using a UAV equipped with a variety of sensors. The varied data will be used to introduce students to the broad range of problems they will analyze in different industry sectors, such as using UAV technology to determine the extent of apple tree fungus or to inspect utility lines. The project will recruit new students into GST and UAV-data analytics by developing informational materials, conducting outreach to incumbent workers through employer partners, and expanding the college’s partnership with a local 9-12 high school in Syracuse, New York, that has 83% of its students qualifying for free lunch and is classified as “economically disadvantaged” by the New York State Department of Education. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation’s economy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.