SUNY Jamestown Community College hosted a summer camp that had students entering ninth grade at Jamestown Public School soaring to new heights—both literally and figuratively.
The Drone Soccer Summer Camp, designed to blend the excitement of soccer with the technology of drones, provided a thrilling educational adventure. The camp was led by JPS Technology teachers Daryl Damcott and Scott Van Stee, made possible through the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs grant at SUNY JCC.
in a drone soccer summer camp hosted by Jamestown
Community College. Kneeling, from left: Jon Torres,
Travis Yates, and Jazaria Johnson.
Standing: JPS teacher Daryl Damcott, Ezra Brutus,
Tristen Brandow, Ryan Alianell, Ben Chadwick,
Carmen Quinones Morrison, and teacher Scott Van Stee.
“Daryl and Scott’s dedication to the students and commitment to fostering a love for STEM was evident in every aspect of the camp,” said Nichole Segrue, program director for SUNY JCC GEAR UP. “The skills learned are increasingly valuable in today’s technology-driven world, giving participants a head start in potential careers for the future.”
Drone soccer is an emerging sport that combines elements of traditional soccer with the excitement of drone piloting. Teams of students fly small, agile drones inside an enclosed arena, aiming to score goals by maneuvering their drones with precision and skill. The sport requires strategic thinking, teamwork, and technical prowess, making it an ideal activity for developing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills.
“This is a great program to give kids a lot of hands-on opportunities that they may not normally get in the classroom,” said Van Stee.
Students engaged in a variety of activities designed to build their knowledge of drone technology. They explored the basics of drone flight; safe and effective drone operation; the principles of aerodynamics, navigation, and the mechanics of drone hardware. The sessions taught them how to build, program, operate, and repair their drones.
GEAR UP is funded through the Higher Education Services Corporation. The program works to provide experiences for low-income students from middle school through their first year of college that will help them succeed in postsecondary education. Students like Jazaria Johnson gained self confidence along with new skills during the camp.
“At first I was a little worried, but I have realized that if I put my mind to it I can do it and I showed myself I can do it,” Johnson said.
“In a world where technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, programs like JCC’s Drone Soccer Summer Camp are crucial in equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed,” said Segrue. “By blending fun and education, JCC is helping to shape the future—one drone at a time.”