Abstract
Remote sensing and aerial imaging efforts at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) have been ongoing for over a decade. It was initiated with the UMESAIR (Undergraduate Multidisciplinary Earth Science Airborne Instrumentation Research) project in early part of the century as an exploratory experiential learning project as means to foster collaboration and provide exposure to science and engineering students to scientists and engineers at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility which is within 50 miles of campus. Subsequently, with significant support from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) the remote sensing endeavors have been integrated with the smart farming and precision agriculture efforts closely aligned with the land grant mission of UMES and the regional emphasis in the Delmarva Peninsula. Maryland Space Grant Consortium (MDSGC) have also supported a synergistic project titled Aerial Imaging and Remote Sensing for Precision Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship (AIRSPACES) on an annual basis which has allowed continued involvement of multidisciplinary undergraduate students from the STEM fields to remain involved with the efforts.
