Physics: Technology // Biology: Endangered Species // Earth Science: Natural Resources

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ne day in the not-so-distant future, dispense pesticide, killing the damaging
watch an unmanned aerial vehicle, also insects. Then the drone returns to its patrol
a video
www.scholastic.com
known as a drone, flies over an (see 1 in illustration, next page).
/scienceworld apple orchard. Weeks later, an apple from that same
As it zips around, it snaps high- orchard arrives at a grocery warehouse near
definition photos and runs them through you. From your cell phone, you add it to your
4 bonus software that analyzes the crops health. cart and click deliver. Twenty minutes later,
skills The software homes in on a corner of the you hear a whirring noise outside. A different
sheets field that doesnt look so good: Insects are drone lands on your doorstep. It sets your
See attached
attacking the apples. The drone turns and apple down and zips away.
heads toward the area. Sprayers on its wings Continued on page 3

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 911 delivery
During medical
emergencies, drones
could quickly deliver
life-saving medicine
or supplies to hospitals.

drones
at war
Drones are playing an
increasingly important
role in warfare around the
world. In fact, nearly one
in three American military
aircraft are drones. And
not all of them are the
size of model airplanes
the U.S. Air Forces
Sheriff in MQ-9 Reaper can carry
the sky 1,360 kilograms (3,000
Drones could keep pounds) of weaponry.
watch over city Other countries,
streets and let the including China, Italy,
police know if they
9 spot crimes. They
and Turkey, have military
drones too. Although the
could even give
parking tickets. numbers are classified,
the U.S. appears to
use them the most. The
targets mostly seem to
be the extremist groups
1 Al Qaeda and the
Taliban, in Pakistan and
neighboring Afghanistan.
The U.S. and its allies
have been at war in
Afghanistan since 2001.
The benefit of drones
is that because theyre
operated remotely,
soldiers can be kept out
of danger. But concerns
have been raised about
the militarys use of
drones: Do they make it
easier to fight because
the operator generally
doesnt have to head into
battle zones? Do drones
make war seem more like
video games than life-or-
3 death struggles?
fighting fires Whatever the pros
Drones could carry and cons of drones in
large amounts of water warfare, theyre likely
to help put out fires. to play a bigger role on
battlefields around the
world in years ahead.

illustrations: Sergey Kostik;

PHOTO: Erik de Castro/Reuters

www.scholastic.com/scienceworld 2
 This scenario sounds like science fiction.
But scientists think it could become a
realityand probably sooner than you
think. From moviemakers to animal
conservationists, people are already finding
ways to use drones.
TODAYS DRONES
Drones were first built in the early 1900s
for military pilots and gunners to use as
target practice. Today the military remains
the leading user of drones (see Drones at
War, p. 2). But as drones have become
smaller and more affordable, people outside
the military have begun to use them.
The thing that really surprised me when
I started working with drones is that there
are so many applications right off the bat,
says Christopher Vo, director of educa-
tion for the DC Area Drone User Group in
Washington, D.C.
Today, the hottest
application for
how
camera
drones
work
Flying robots can capture
the action at sporting events,
take photos of wildlife, or
conduct spy missions.
flight control
Software determines if the motors
need more or less power to keep the drone steady.
radio control
Controllers tell the drone what to do via radio signal.
The drone can be told to fly faster, descend, etc.
navigation
GPS and a barometer, which measures atmospheric
pressure, tell the flight control software where the drone
is located and how it can return to home base.
camera
A camera can record and send video. The camera stays
focused on the target while the drone flies.
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drones is in Hollywood ( 2 ).
Filmmakers are using drones
equipped with cameras to capture
footage that would otherwise be dangerous
and expensive to shoot. Action scenes, for
example, have traditionally been filmed using
helicopters. To capture the shot, the crew
sometimes performs risky maneuvers, flying
very low and close to the subject being
filmed. The helicopters are also expensive to
rent: They can cost $10,000 per day.
Camera drones, by contrast, can get close
to the action without endangering lives. And
theyre far less expensive than helicopters:
A state-of-the-art camera drone costs about
$25,000 and can be used over and over again.
Drones are also being used in the new
field of precision agriculture, like the high-
tech apple orchard you read about earlier.
Todays farms can span as many as 10,000
acres. With all that land to monitor, farmers
rely on technology to help them keep an eye
on their crops. To do that, they currently
purchase photographs taken by satellites.
But these images are expensive to buy,
and since theyre taken from space, they
dont show fine detail.
So farmers are starting to turn
to drones. Drones relatively low
cost means they can be out over
the fields every day, monitoring the
crops and alerting the farmer when
an area looks like it needs more
attention. Because that lets farmers
target spots that need treatment, they
can use less water, fertilizer, and pesticides
overall, which saves money and is better
for the environment. Brian Taylor, director
of the University of Minnesota Uninhabited
Aerial Vehicle Laboratory, estimates that
most farmers in the U.S. will use drones
within five years.
TOMORROWS DRONES
In 2012, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
CHARLES PLATIAU/Reuters/Corbis
got a $5 million grant from Google to come
up with new ways to end wildlife crime in
Africa and Asia. The solution: camera drones.
This year, the animal conservation group
will launch drones to watch over rhinos,
elephants, and tigers. The drones will help
scientists track down poachers who hunt
 privacy invasion?
How would you feel if a drone
took a photo of you sunbathing
or walking home from school?

the endangered animals and illegally sell buildings, people, and

their horns, tusks, and eyes to be used in other drones. Before
everything from carved trinkets to traditional drones can be flown
Chinese medicines. over populated areas,
In the U.S., Mark Ditmer and John says Taylor, rules
Vincent, biologists at the University of are needed about
Minnesota, hope to use drone technology who can fly them, and
to study American black bears ( 3 ). The when and where.
bears live in dense forest vegetation, which
makes them hard to find, and they often flee air DELIVERY
when they sense humans nearby. Even if Some companies arent
scientists manage to get close, their presence letting these hurdles stop them FLY ON THE
can change the bears behavior. Ditmer and from investigating uses for drones. WALL: The U.S. Air
Force aims to make
Vincent hope to use camera drones to solve Amazon says it intends to start a new drones so tiny that
both problems. service called Prime Air ( 4 ) as early as they resemble small
birds and insects.
The pair want to test their idea on black 2015. It says it will be able to deliver pack-
bears that have already been implanted ages via drone in under 30 minutes. Pizza
with devices that measure their heart rates. deliveries could follow ( 5 ).
Data from those devices will tell Ditmer and Drones might even deliver Internet
Vincent if the drones stress the bears. If not, access. Facebook is working on a project
scientists may be able to use drones to study that would launch drones that broadcast
Jason South/FAirfax Syndication (Left); Skip Peterson/Reuters (Right)

all kinds of animals in their natural habitats.
FLIGHT DELAY
The bear project is on hold as Ditmer and
Vincent wait for approval from the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA). The govern-
ment agency is currently facing a debate
about privacy and safety issues.
The public is concerned that camera
drones could be used to peer into
windows and spy on people.
And since drones dont have
flight guidelines, critics worry
that they could crash into
Internet signals to parts of the world that
arent connected ( 6 ).
FAA guidelines could help clear the way
for personal drones too. Already, anyone can
go online and buy a camera drone for a few Core
hundred dollars. In the near future, people Question
could use drones to snap selfies from the Use the text to cite
perfect vantage point ( 7 ) or record footage two jobs drones
as people skateboard ( 8 ) or play soccer ( 9 ). could perform in
Someday, personal drones could even race the near future.
you during your workout ( 10 ). What are some of
Experts say that once we figure out the the pros and cons
rules, the sky isliterallythe limit. 9 of using drones?
 Stephanie Warren

www.scholastic.com/scienceworld 4

LESSON PLANs
DRONES take off
Lexile 1170
5. Have students complete the persuasive essay on drones as
a homework assignment.

DISCUSSION
Many scientists and officials dont like the word drone. They
prefer unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs. Ask students: Does
the word drone have a negative connotation? Why or why not?

ASSESSMENT PACKAGE
Assessments are tailored to different science disciplines and
the Common Core State Standards. Subscribers can find the
assessment package for every Science World feature article at
www.scholastic.com/scienceworld. All of the skills sheets for
standards this article are available to you for free on the following pages.

NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION StandardS: physics/common core: critical thinking

Grades 5-8: Science and technology in society WHATS YOUR OPINION?
Grades 9-12: Science and technology in local, national,
Students will gather evidence from the article to
and global challenges
write a persuasive essay about whether or not
NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS:
drones are a good idea.
ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
Common Core State StandardS:
Writing Standards: 1. Write arguments to support claims
in an analysis of topics, using relevant and sufficient
biology: map reading
evidence.
tracking ivory
OBJECTIVE Drones may help in the fight against poaching.
Learn about current and future uses for drones as well as Students will learn about elephant poaching and
arguments for and against the unmanned flying vehicles. hone their map-reading skills with this activity.

LESSON
1. Print pages 1 to 4 of this PDF (excerpted from a recent
issue of Science World). Display the pages on a whiteboard chemistry: reading comprehension
or computer as students read their copies. Ask the class clearing the air
what they know about drones. (They are unmanned flying Have students read this passage to learn how
vehicles; they are used in wars; Amazon has announced drones are being used to fight air pollution in
plans to use them to deliver packages in the future; etc.) China.
What are some pros and cons of drones? (They keep soldiers
safe; they can be misused; they could be used to invade
peoples privacy; etc.) Take a pre-reading poll of the class to
determine how many students think drones are a good idea. earth science: reading comprehension
birds-eye view
2. Hand out the Whats Your Opinion?
Students will develop their reading-
skills sheet below (also available to subscribers
comprehension skills and learn how drones are
at www.scholastic.com/scienceworld).
helping scientists study volcanoes.

resources
3. Ask students to read the article independently. As they VIDEO EXTRA: Subscribers and their students can watch a
read, have them fill out the first section of the skills sheet. video about drones at www.scholastic.com/scienceworld.
Learn about how the Orangutan Conservancy uses drones to
4. When everyone has finished, discuss the pros and cons monitor wildlife: www.orangutan.com/projects
of drones. Re-poll the class to see if opinions have changed /conservation-drone-project/
about whether or not drones are a good idea. Learn about camera-carrying drones at: www.livescience
.com/43303-cool-camera-carrying-drones.html

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 PHYSICS/COMMON CORE: critical thinking

Name:

WHATS YOUR OPINION?

In the Drones Take Off article, you read about the possible uses of drones as well as the concerns that some critics have
about the flying machines. Are drones a good idea? Gather evidence from the article and combine it with your own opinions to
argue each side of the debate. Write the information on the lines below.

YES, drones are good!

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

NO, drones are bad!

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

DECIDE WHAT YOU THINK: Examine the evidence you have gathered. Then state your opinion about drones in one
sentence below.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
On a separate piece of paper, write an argument about the topic. Your essay should clearly state your opinion and include at
least three pieces of evidence that support your argument.

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 BIOLOGY: MAP READING

Name:

TRACKING IVORY
In the Drones Take Off article, you learned that the World Wildlife Fund plans to launch camera drones to help track down
poachers who illegally hunt endangered animals. Elephants are frequently killed for their ivory tusks. The map below shows
how elephant ranges have decreased and where ivory is in highest demand. Study the map and then answer the questions
that follow.

ivory
trade
map
EUROPE Demand for ivory
is highest in Asia.
ASIA
Much of the ivory
there comes
from elephants
poached in Africa,
CHINA
JAPAN
resulting in a
PACIFIC massive decline
in their range and
INDIA
OCEAN
AFRICA
VIETNAM
PHILIPPINES population.
THAILAND
MALAYSIA color code:
 sian countries
A
with the most
ivory seized,
SINGAPORE
1989-2011
 ange of
R
elephants in
ATLANTIC INDIAN
Africa in 1979
OCEAN OCEAN

 ange of
R
elephants in
AUSTRALIA Africa in 2007

QUESTIONS
1. Which two continents shown on the map are most 4. How many years separate the surveys that were used to
involved in the ivory trade? determine the extent of the two elephant ranges shown on
the map?

2. Name three countries with a high demand for ivory.

5. Do you think fewer people would poach elephants if there
were camera drones watching over the animals?
3. Which ocean separates the elephant population from the
countries where most of the ivory is bought?

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2014 by Scholastic Inc. or visit www.scholastic.com/buy-SW
 CHEMISTRY: READING COMPREHENSION

Name:

CLEARING THE AIR

In the Drones Take Off article, you learned about some ways drones could be used in civilian life. Read the following
passage to find out how drones are helping clean polluted skies. Then answer the questions that follow.

SMOG-FIGHTING DRONES
In 2014, the Chinese government declared war on air pollution. Some of the fighters aiming to
clean up the skies are unmanned drones.
Chinas air quality is among the worst in the world. Cars, coal-burning power plants, and
industrial processes release toxic chemicals that fill the skies with choking smog. In many
Chinese cities, the density of PM2.5 particle pollution (particles small enough to enter peoples
lungs and cause health problems) is often 20 times higher than the safe level recommended by
the World Health Organization.
Chinese officials have begun using aerial drones to try to clear the skies. The drones spray
smog-clearing chemicals into the air. The chemicals react with floating smog pollution, forming
a product that falls to the ground.
Traditional drones are expensive. In the spring of 2014, Chinese officials began testing a new
type of drone called a parafoil plane. Instead of sporting fixed wings like an airplane, the parafoil
plane hangs from a wide parachute that allows it to glide through the skies. Parafoil drones cost
90 percent less than traditional drones.

QUESTIONS
1. What are three sources of air pollution in China? 4. What is one benefit of the new parafoil plane drones?

2. What is PM2.5 particle pollution? 5. Critics of this method of fighting smog say it doesnt
really eliminate pollution from the environment. Use
evidence from the text to explain what they mean.

3. Why do you think scientists closely monitor levels of

PM2.5 particle pollution?

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 EARTH SCIENCE: READING COMPREHENSION

Name:

BIRDS-EYE VIEW
In the Drones Take Off article, isyou learned about some uses for drones. Read the following passage to learn how
scientists are using the vehicles to gather data about the toxic materials that spew from volcanoes. Then use complete
sentences to answer the questions that follow.

FLYING INTO An eruption

The skies above active volcanoes are dangerous spots. Toxic gases poison the air, and ash
particles can damage the engines of planes that fly too close. To stay safe, volcanologists are
flying unmanned aerial vehicles into volcanic plumes.
In 2013, scientists launched the first drone mission above Costa Ricas Turrialba volcano.
A cloud of toxic gases and ash streams steadily from vents on the active volcanos top. That
makes it an ideal spot to learn about the characteristics of volcanic plumes.
These clouds of noxious gases and ash can be a health hazard to surrounding communities.
Plus, sulfur dioxide gas can react with water in the air to create acid rain that kills vegetation. If
scientists can predict how the plumes will act, they can help keep people safe.
To collect data from Turrialba, scientists fitted three retired military drones with cameras
and equipment to collect air samples and take measurements such as temperature and sulfur
dioxide concentration. The first 10 flights were a success, and scientists are now busy planning
future missions.

QUESTIONS
1. Why is it dangerous for an airplane to fly close to 4. What type of information did the drones gather from the
a volcano? Turrialba volcano?

2. Where was the first drone flown over a volcano? 5. Find two pieces of evidence from the passage that
support the following statement: Volcanoes can affect
living things that surround them.

3. What do you think the word noxious means?

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2014 by Scholastic Inc. or visit www.scholastic.com/buy-SW