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North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) recently collaborated with the National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT) and the Colorado School of Mines to provide a group of seven students from NDSCS’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems certificate program with a unique 16-day fieldwork experience. The students traveled to Arizona and Nevada in March, where they used drones to collect data from mining sites using hyperspectral imaging, a technology that captures data from across the electromagnetic spectrum beyond the visible light our eyes can see.

The trip was funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant secured by NCAT, whose mission is to educate technicians for careers in autonomous technology fields. The grant covered all travel expenses for the students and provided them with a stipend for their work.

NDSCS students were responsible for planning missions, flying drones, and collecting data. Seth Simonson, NDSCS associate professor, accompanied the students and led curriculum development for the UAS component of the project. Graduate students from the Colorado School of Mines evaluated the data collected to identify and quantify material in the mines. The group from NDSCS spent eight days outside of Phoenix, Ariz., and eight days in Henderson, Nev. traveling approximately 60 miles southwest from there into California, to complete their fieldwork. The primary drone used for the project was a $70,000 quad drone equipped with a $300,000 camera that collects 490 wavelength bands. This was the NDSCS students’ first time using a camera with this level of spectral range. “Getting flight time with this high-performance camera was an incredible learning experience for the students,” said Simonson. “It sparked a lot of interest in the future of the industry.”

The NDSCS students who participated in the study included:

• Tyler Cunningham, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Thompson, N.D.
• Annah Evavold, Architectural Modeling and Design Technology, Battle Lake, Minn.
• Bailey Goschke, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Oslo, Minn.
• Mark Jenniges, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Brooten, Minn.
• Joel Kavaloski, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Lindstrom, Minn.
• Noah Cunningham, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Minot, N.D.
• Trenton Thomasson, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology, Fargo, N.D.

In addition to working with advanced technology, the students valued working in different terrain. “Around here, it’s all flat land. Out there, it’s desert and mountains,” said Mark Jenniges. “You had to pick out your vantage points. You had to figure out how you were going to plan your missions so that you didn’t wreck or lose sight of your drone because you always have to have a visual line of sight. You had to pick out take-off and landing spots–it was all very valuable experience.”

The trip also allowed students to collaborate with other professionals. “We were in the field doing a job,” said Annah Evavold. “It was our job to collect the data so the researchers could do their part in the project. We had to know what we were doing and we took it seriously.”

Joel Kavaloski said he enjoyed working with the graduate students. “The geologists explained the science behind why we were capturing the data. We knew where the drones could fly, but we didn’t necessarily know their points of interest. They helped us understand the bigger picture.”

“Overall, it was just a great work experience for us,” said Tyler Cunningham. “If future employers see that on a resume, I think they’ll take into consideration the time we spent planning missions and developing flying skills.”

This collaboration between NDSCS, the Colorado School of Mines, and NCAT demonstrates the importance of partnerships and the potential for groundbreaking research when institutions come together. Simonson looks forward to future runs of the study where he will continue to lead the UAS curriculum.

The success of this project also demonstrates how UAS is one of the fastest-growing industries with new applications constantly being identified. In response to emerging careers in unmanned aerial technologies, NDSCS is expanding its UAS certificate program into a standalone associate degree. Starting in the fall of 2023, NDSCS will offer an Associate in Applied Science degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems with six emphasis areas including Land Surveying, Civil Engineering Technology, Architectural Modeling, Construction Inspection, Business & Marketing, and Transfer. Through a hands-on curriculum, students will learn about unmanned aircraft types, legal operational guidelines, preflight planning, piloting UAS, and collecting and processing data through photogrammetry, thermography, multispectral imaging, LiDAR, photography, and videography. Students also earn a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Remote Pilot Certificate preparing them to become remote pilots in different commercial environments and industries. Simonson said the FAA supports NDSCS’s expanded curriculum because of its industry focus and hands-on approach. “Students use UAS to collect and process data just as they would in industry, which distinguishes our program.”

Additional information about the NDSCS Unmanned Aircraft Systems program can be found online at NDSCS.edu/UAS.

A crowd of students, potential employers and educators and supporters came Tuesday, March 21 to the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center.

North Dakota State College of Science held its 2023 Career Fair in Wahpeton. The event, previously delayed due to winter weather, lasted from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The 2022 fair was attended by nearly 500 students and this year’s event appeared to meet or exceed expectations.

“It is very exciting,” NDSCS Director of Career Services Lisa Wixo said. “I’m really glad that our employers were able to come this year. The postponement from our original date did not have much of an impact. They’re here, they need our students and students should be able to find employment during the day.”

More than 200 employers and universities participated in the 2023 Career Fair. They included locally-based employers like the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Communications/911, ComDel Innovation and the Red River Human Services Foundation, as well as regional, national and internationally-known employers.

“There are opportunities for absolutely every single student that we have,” Wixo said. “They definitely find employment opportunities. We also have first year students that are looking for cooperative education experiences. They also find those today, along with graduates who find employment today.”

More than 20 employers were expected to conduct interviews Tuesday afternoon at NDSCS. Prior to that, students strolled the Blikre, engaging with prospective employers and educators.

“This is awesome,” said Connor Lay, a second year building construction technology student.

Lay was joined by friends and peers Glen Erickson and Tanner Obrigewitch. The trio met with Sara Galt, Industrial Builders, Inc., who accepted their cover letters and resumes.

“It’s pretty nice, with all the employers coming out to give us a chance,” Obrigewitch said.

“The career fair’s awesome. We’re meeting with all the employers in one spot, so it’s easy for us to go around, talk to people and make connections,” Erickson said.

Earlier this month, a Career Expo hosted by Cargill took place at the Wahpeton Community Center. Twenty-five Southern Red River Valley employers were on hand to meet with more than 180 high schoolers from Wahpeton and Fairmount, North Dakota, and Breckenridge and Campbell, Minnesota.

Richland 44 High School, Colfax, North Dakota, was scheduled to hold a career fair from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 22. Additionally, the Richland County Law Enforcement Center, Wahpeton, is scheduled to hold a career fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, March 28.

“I think it’s interesting because, three years ago, I was in these students’ shoes,” Chris Ennen, Gast Construction, said about meeting the NDSCS youth. “I think it’s kinda nice to be on this side of it (as an employer), understanding where they’re coming from.”

Tyler Hook and Benjamin Austin, a pair of second year welding students, met with Cory Swingen and Chase Fennell, Swingen Construction.

“I’ve been here one time before. It’s a good opportunity to find a new job,” Hook said.

“I enjoy it. I look forward to it,” Austin said.

Lt. Tyler Kirsch, a U.S. Navy recruiter, was around to meet with students and talk about the Navy’s work in fields such as nuclear power.

“I’ve been serving for nine-and-a-half years,” Kirsch said. “I was right out of high school. I enlisted originally and got picked up for a commission program. I got to go back to school while I was still on active duty. I did my commission and then got to work on submarines.”

Michele Flanigan, wife of NDSCS President Dr. Rod Flanigan, was also active during the 2023 Career Fair. She enjoyed meeting with college guests. NDSCS will have more guests the night of Friday, April 14, when the DREAMS Auction returns to the Blikre Activities Center.

“It’s just amazing to me, the support that we have for the school,” Michele Flanigan said. “The companies that we have here are great. It’s just been amazing to get to know these people. We appreciate all that they do for us. This is our first experience and it’s just overwhelming.”

Article written by Frank Stanko for Wahpeton Daily News on March 22, 2023.

Go Wildcats! Following season-long wins — including being Mon-Dak Champions, Region XIII Champions, and North Central District Champions — the NJCAA has announced that the NDSCS Women’s Basketball team will be traveling to Lubbock, Texas to play in the DI National Championship Tournament. NDSCS Women’s Basketball finished off the season with a 29-4 record and is the No. 21 seed in the bracket. This is the second year in a row that NDSCS Women’s Basketball is making an appearance in the National Championship tournament.

The NDSCS Alumni Foundation is organizing a send-off for the team on Sunday, March 19th at 8:15 a.m. in the north parking lot of the Clair T. Blikre Activities Center, Wahpeton, N.D. The entire community is invited to join NDSCS in celebrating the team’s accomplishments and sending them off to Texas with well wishes. The team bus will leave at 8:30 a.m. with a parade escort out of town.

Wildcat Women’s Basketball plays their first game of the tournament against Eastern Arizona College at the RIP Griffin Center in Lubbock, Texas on Wednesday, March 22nd at 8 p.m. Wildcat fans cheering from home are invited to attend a community watch party at the Wilkin in Breckenridge, Minn. RSVP to the Wilkin is preferred.