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ALDOT UAS team makes an impact through STEM camp

An ALDOT UAS team member speaks to a group of students gathered around a table displaying drones during an outdoor STEM camp. The group stands under a canopy in a parking lot with trees and houses in the background.
Jun 18

The Alabama Department of Transportation’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Team is continuing its role in STEM outreach through the Crenshaw County Schools STEM Camp in Luverne, AL. As part of its ongoing commitment to education and innovation, the ALDOT UAS Team makes an impact through STEM camp activities by delivering interactive experiences that connect students with the real-world applications of drone technology.

This year’s visit went beyond a simple demonstration. Students got a firsthand look at UAS in transportation, from inspections to mapping and emergency response. Students watched live drone flights and toured the Mobile Command Center. They also used First Person View (FPV) goggles for an immersive experience

“We want students to understand that drone technology isn’t just futuristic, it’s already transforming the way we plan, build and maintain Alabama’s roads and bridges,” said J.D. D’Arville, UAS Program Administrator. “It also creates opportunities to discuss safety, responsibility, and the wide range of career paths this technology supports.”

Joining D’Arville were Michael Kyser, Stephen Brantley, Alexander Limbaugh and Patrick Tripp. They shared insights from their UAS missions across the state.

The team’s work is part of a broader strategy to inspire young minds through STEM initiatives. Recently, the UAS team has partnered with schools and universities to demonstrate how transportation and technology intersect.

As ALDOT invests in modern tools and training, efforts like this help future engineers, pilots and planners envision careers in public service and infrastructure.

For the UAS team, the message to students was simple: the sky isn’t the limit, it’s the beginning.