By Mckenna Anderson, Reporter
The Riptide broadcasting team at Vashon Island High School has gotten a new and exciting addition in their technology features: a drone. This device is still very new, having been purchased last spring. The drone is a gateway to unique new ways the broadcasting team can show activities and updates at our school as well as show our student’s to the public.
“It’s completely new, and it is going to open up new possibilities for VHS,” said CTE instructor James Culbertson.
Drones are flown by advanced students, which gives students a unique learning experience, whether they are broadcasting sports, school events, or getting a photo.
“We hope to be able to use the drones to live broadcast school sporting events such as football,” said junior Julian White-Davis. “We are still sorting out the regulations…. however other high schools around the US are currently using drones to film sports events, so we know it’s possible. Ideally, we will also be able to use the drones indoors and could possible use them to film assemblies, community events, and even indoor sports.”
So far this year, drones have been used by the video production class as well as the Riptide broadcasting team to capture footage of various school events. However, even with such a promising future with these machines, there are always downfalls.
“The only negative effects of having drones that I can see is the distraction that they could have at events and the possible injury that could be caused if something goes wrong with the drone and it crashes,” White-davis said. “However, the drones that we have purchased all have GPSs with multiple satellite locks that hold them in place, so even if we let go of the remote or if the wind picks up, the drone will not move,”
Already owning two drones, Vashon Island High School is joining many other schools in the use of drones for broadcasting. With the ability to now get live footage of sports events from the drones as well as capture school photos that were previously difficult to get, not only will the drone help with the ease of broadcasting, but it will also help with getting new views on everyday life.