Atlantic Cape Community College got a boost to its proposed Preparing Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Data Technicians project by the National Science Foundation.
The $551,818 grant will fund "Preparing Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Data Technicians," which will address the evolving technology landscape in the field of small unmanned aircraft systems.
This includes advancements in miniaturized sensors, development specialized data processing software and the use of machine learning for analysis.
“Atlantic Cape recognizes the industry-driven demand to expand its existing sUAS (small uncrewed aircraft systems) technician curricula," said Dr. Josette Katz, senior vice president of Academic Affairs. "The goal is to develop an Associate in Applied Science Degree option and a series of short-term stackable certificate programs focused on equipping students with the skills to collect, process and securely manage sUAS data,” .
The project emphasizes instrument training for advanced sensors, including light detection ranging, laser methane detector, ground-penetrating radar, real-time kinetic global positioning systems, infrared and hyperspectral imagers.
“By integrating these technologies into the curriculum, Atlantic Cape aims to prepare students for the demands of the industry and provide them with practical skills in data collection, management, and analysis using sUAS,” Katz said.
The project is expected to increase the number of faculty trained to deliver new curricula, diversify the student population benefiting from the programs and give measurable results in terms of enrollment, retention and graduation/credentials earned.
The project strives to meet the workforce demand for skilled sUAS data technicians and contribute to the growth and advancement of the field.
Computer Information Systems Professor James Taggart will be the program’s principal investigator. Assistant Professors Kenneth Cabarle and Anthony Esposito will serve as co-principal investigators with Professor Judith Otterburn-Martinez rounding out the program’s faculty team.
This new associate degree option is tentatively scheduled to launch for Fall 2025.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/aviation for more information.
(Story by Atlantic Cape Community College)
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