TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Tainan City Government said on Monday that 100 local students took part in its drone sports summer camp, according to the city's press release.
The city's Education Bureau said the camp was held from July 30 to Aug 6 at Longtian Elementary School and Wunsian Junior High School for elementary and junior high school students. Education Bureau Director-General Cheng Hsin-hui (鄭新輝) said that instruction took a hands-on approach designed to help students understand drone functions and applications through trial and error, followed by a 3-on-3 soccer tournament putting their knowledge and teamwork skills to the test.
Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) said technology is inseparable from daily life and is a prerequisite for children, with AI, robotics, and drones advancing rapidly. He added that drone soccer combines flying with competitive sports, which allows students to gain experience while sparking further interest.
Wunsian Junior High student Ko Ping-yu (柯秉佑) said he was immediately drawn in as he always enjoyed soccer and had some experience with camera drones. He added that drone soccer operates quite differently from camera drones and aims to improve.
Wunyuan Elementary siblings Hu Chen-chi (胡宸齊) and Hu Chiao-hsi (胡僑希) said they had previous experience with drone navigation and practiced on flight simulators. Both said being able to apply these experiences in an actual setting is very exciting, and they hope to learn more about team tactics.
The city said the camp is part of a broader push to improve students' understanding of emerging technologies. The city will continue to improve accessibility and train students to become local talents.
