Before You Begin
In this unit, students will explore how the VEX AIR Drone can capture and store visual data during flight. Using the Front and Down Cameras, students will learn how to take photos and record videos while operating the drone, and how these images can help them fly more accurately. They will also learn how to access and transfer image and video files from the VEX AIR Drone Controller to a computer.
Learning Objectives:
The purpose of this unit is to introduce students to the camera views available on the physical drone, and ensure they understand how and why to use them. By the end of the unit, students will be able to:
- Identify how to capture images and videos with the drone.
- Identify how to access and retrieve images and videos from the controller.
- Identify how to manage storage space on the controller for image and video files.
- Identify how photos and videos can help you to fly with more accuracy and precision.
Environment Setup and Materials
Ensure that your flight area is marked and labeled, and that students know the safety procedures for your space. Use the following articles to help you as you set up your space and ready your students for flight.
- Setting Up Your Classroom for Safe Flight with VEX AIR — This article gives recommendations for creating a safe flight area in your space, and environment considerations to support safe flight sessions.
- Classroom Management for Teaching with the VEX AIR Drone — This article provides roles and responsibilities for before, during, and after flight.
Students will need access to the contents of their VEX AIR Kit for this unit, including charged batteries. For more information about charging batteries, see this article.
Standards Alignment
Common Core English Language Arts (CCSS ELA)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.6 - Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10/11-12.3 - Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10/11-12.4 - Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grade level topics.
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
- Empowered Learner – 1.1.c – Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
- Knowledge Constructor – 1.3.d – Students build knowledge by exploring real-world issues and gain experience in applying their learning in authentic settings.
- Global Collaborator - 1.7.c - Students contribute constructively to project teams, assuming various roles and responsibilities to work effectively toward a common goal.
You have previously learned to use two important tools for accurate and precise flight with the VEX AIR Drone — the data on the Drone Dashboard, and the Front and Down Camera views, shown on the VEX AIR Drone Controller. In this unit, you will add to your flight toolkit, as you learn how to capture images and videos during flight.
Vocabulary
The terms below will help you as you learn about camera views. The vocabulary list is here to provide reference for key terms you may not be familiar with.
- Front Camera — The camera on the front of the drone that captures images and video in the direction the drone is facing.
- Down Camera — The camera on the bottom of the drone underneath the nose that captures images below the drone.
The terms below will help you as you learn about camera views. The vocabulary list is here to provide reference for key terms you may not be familiar with.
- Front Camera — The camera on the front of the drone that captures images and video in the direction the drone is facing.
- Down Camera — The camera on the bottom of the drone underneath the nose that captures images below the drone.
Continue to use (and encourage students to use) vocabulary from all courses in context, to reinforce the meanings of the words and help students to assimilate them into their natural speech.
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