Submitted Photo Dr. Linda Burbidge, Jo Leader and Michelle Cauley with Dakota College at Bottineau present at the NSF-ATE PI Conference in Washington, D.C., this past fall.

BOTTINEAU – Dakota College at Bottineau reports it is making progress on its drone program through the National Science Foundation ATE grant awarded in 2023 by the U.S. government’s independent science agency. The three-year initiative is focused on strengthening the rural North Dakota workforce by preparing highly skilled, small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) technicians through education and hands-on training.

DCB identified a growing need for qualified sUAS technicians. In response, DCB has prepared a stackable certification program in drone technology. It is incorporated into two-year degrees in natural resources, agriculture, fish and wildlife and business programs. These short-term, industry programs may be earned separately or in conjunction with other programs, eventually leading to a higher-level certificate or degree.

Because two-year community and technical colleges are the leading sources of technician education in the United States, faculty from these colleges have had leadership roles in most ATE funded projects, according to DCB. As part of the grant, DCB instructors Dr. Linda Burbidge, Michelle Cauley and Jo Leader presented at the NSF-ATE PI Conference held in Washington, DC, this fall. This presentation will help other schools replicate DCB’s success in creating a bootcamp.

Through the grant-supported efforts, DCB hosted an industry bootcamp in 2025, providing current professionals in agriculture, natural resources and other related industries with experience in real-world applications using drones. Designed for success in three parts: online learning, hands-on flight training and a post-project, participants are equipped with practical skills that can be used in their workplaces.

A second session is scheduled for spring 2026. Registration will be open Jan. 1- Feb. 4, with the online portion of the bootcamp beginning Feb. 9.