You’ve heard of the Oscars and the Tonys, however Oklahoma State University recently introduced the next big award in an inaugural event — the Dronies Awards.

The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education at OSU recently hosted the inaugural Dronies Awards — recognizing excellence in unmanned aerial systems across aerospace innovation, education, research, safety and professional practice.

“As Oklahoma’s only aerospace institute, we are excited to celebrate the pioneers, the builders, the collaborators and those who are pushing the boundaries of aerospace in Oklahoma,” said Dr. Jamey Jacob, executive director of OAIRE. “It is these individuals and teams that ensure that Oklahoma does not just participate in the future of aerospace and autonomy, but leads it.”

The entries from individuals and teams were submitted in three divisions — high school, collegiate and professional. The submission categories ranged from Innovator of the Year to Rising UAS Professionals to Outstanding Contribution to UAS Safety.

Winners included Rejoice Christian School students, who earned the high school division’s Most Promising Future UAS Professionals award for their work designing and flying their own drone show at football games last fall.

In the collegiate category, freshman Nicholas Rowland was awarded the Rising UAS Professional award for a project that he began developing to help his family’s ranch better track their cattle.

“On most cattle ranches — like my family’s — cattle monitoring takes up the majority of a rancher’s time,” Rowland said. “My project aims to reduce that time by using a lightweight tag attached to each cow that transmits vital information about the cow to a receiver using Bluetooth signals.”

Rowland has partnered with faculty in the Ferguson College of Agriculture to help design and develop different elements of the project. He has also had preliminary conversations with an Australian company researching the same type of lightweight tags Rowland intends to use.

“We’ve been working on developing a lightweight tag that doesn’t hurt the animal and is cheap to produce — hopefully making it accessible to more ranchers,” Rowland said. “As for the receiver, we want to develop a modular system that is portable and can be used in a multitude of applications — such as handheld in a truck or attached to a drone flying over a pasture.”

Rowland’s cattle monitoring project may hit close to home, but could have impacts far beyond the family farm — certainly fitting the criteria for a Rising UAS Professional.

“I see the possibilities of this project and how it can impact my family’s lives and other people’s lives, as well,” Rowland said. “To have such successful people in the UAS and drone field recognize how impactful the project could be is very special.”

While the Dronies Awards served as a means to honor those making great strides in the world of UAS, it was not the only opportunity OAIRE had to participate in a week dedicated to the second-largest industry in Oklahoma.

Throughout Oklahoma’s Aerospace Week, members of the OAIRE team participated in panel discussions on the future of flight, discussed opportunities and advancements with legislators during Aviation and Aerospace Day at the Capitol, and connected with kids at the Innovation on the Block STEM Night.

“This week’s events allow us to reflect on our land-grant roots and a mission that is at the core of Oklahoma State University,” Jacob said. “What we do is not about innovating for its own sake. It's innovation that serves — strengthening national security, expanding economic opportunity, supporting rural and travel communities, and inspiring the next generation of engineers, scientists, operators and teachers.”

Dronies Awards Gallery