Last week, 13 high school students - from as far away as Michigan - gathered on the Hilltop to explore drone technology and engineering ethics. The fourth annual Drone Camp, hosted by the Computer Science Department in partnership with the Center for Ethics in Society, has become a summer favorite for high school students interested in STEM and drones.
Through hands-on instruction and discussions about ethical applications, students engaged with timely topics such as remote surveillance, robotic labor, autonomous warfare, and more.
“I believe it’s critical for future generations to develop the skills needed to address real-world problems, issues that are highly relevant today,” said camp counselor Matthew Collins ’28, a Computer Science major with a concentration in Mathematics. He explained that throughout the week, campers have the opportunity to explore these challenges in an Ethics Bowl debate while simultaneously building their technical skills for the final drone competition.
“We are focused on developing thoughtful, responsible engineers,” Computer Science Prof. Michael Hueslman, Ph.D. emphasized. The camp is distinctive for its combination of practical engineering and ethical reflection. “Through our ability to provide financial aid, we can offer this unique opportunity to students who might not otherwise have access to this kind of STEM experience.”