India Flying Labs Conducts Drone Workshop in Kandhamal District, Odisha

By India Flying Labs

As part of the Fly for the Future program, India Flying Labs, partnered with Redwing Labs, teamed up with Flycamp for a special drone workshop that ran for four days straight from November 1st to November 4th, 2023, at various venues within Kandhamal district: ITI Phulbani, ITI Dargaibadi, ITI Kotgarh, and Govt. High School. Kandhamal is a peaceful district surrounded by nature, known for its villages that hold strong connections to tribal traditions and have a close community vibe.

In Kandhamal, the students arrived with just a pen, a notebook, and lots of curiosity. They all talked excitedly, wondering what was coming their way. And although the target audience was ITI students, the faculty were also excited to see drones flying.

This workshop wasn't just about drones. We were also fortunate to have some alumni with us, offering insights into their experiences. They shared the impact on themselves, society, and the country, making the discussion more relatable. Involving former students, siblings, and friends made the participants  feel even more connected and kept everyone's attention throughout the session. It wasn't just a workshop; it became a personal journey told by familiar faces, making the idea of drones much more exciting and meaningful for all of us.

Since it was a new subject and topic, many students from different backgrounds, classes, and schools came together for this session. Over 25 schools gathered at these venues, bringing in around 450 students who took part in the drone workshop from start to end. Additionally, we had extra students from different class groups joining and enjoying the session.

Even  more exciting? 

During this workshop, the heads of education, principals, and all the other board members expressed their intentions to start a drone course for the students. One school had already initiated the drone course for their students.

The practical sessions were the heart of this workshop.

It wasn't solely a theoretical session. We planned the sessions so that students didn't get bored. We began by introducing who we are and what we do, then gave them a brief overview of what's happening in the world of drones, such as their types and usages. Following that, we held a question and answer session where the students showed great enthusiasm and had many questions.

We also conducted a drone flying session, during which the  students also got to fly the drones with VR. Each participant flew under the supervision of several dedicated instructors, and many experienced flying a drone for the first time. We also organized a drone race event with our teams to showcase speed and skills.

The main motive of this workshop was to bring awareness and enlighten students about the fast-paced world of drone technology. Their smiles and joy showed that it was indeed a success. 

We were absolutely hyped! Massive thanks to the principals, teachers, students, volunteers, organizers, and every single soul who rocked Kandhamal, turning our event into an epic triumph.