2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Modern farming presents complex, real-world challenges that cannot be solved from a single disciplinary perspective. At York College of Pennsylvania, we developed a project-based learning initiative that integrates engineering, horticulture, computer science, and environmental sciences with the use of drones, artificial intelligence (AI), multispectral imaging, and field-based testing. Students learn to operate drones under FAA licensing requirements, program autonomous flight missions, and process multispectral imagery using specialized software. These skills are coupled with soil and tissue sampling, laboratory analysis, and the study of farm-specific environmental stressors such as pests, fungi, and weather conditions.
The program was made possible through external grant funding, which allowed us to compensate students for their research contributions and thereby deepen their engagement with local farms of varying types and scales. Faculty across departments collaborated to connect student teams with farmers, who provided authentic problems ranging from disease detection to yield prediction. Early measures of success include more than doubling student participation for the upcoming planting season, the creation of actionable reports for partner farms, and strong qualitative feedback from both students and community stakeholders. At its core, the program is structured around five integrated components: (1) drone-based multispectral data acquisition; (2) integration of aerial imagery with ground-truth soil and tissue sampling; (3) AI-enabled image and yield analysis; (4) multidisciplinary student teams; and (5) farmer-facing reporting that creates authentic accountability.
This paper describes the pedagogical structure of the program, with emphasis on how external funding shaped student motivation and project outcomes. We present examples of student–farmer collaborations, outline strategies for coordinating multidisciplinary faculty teams, and share testimonial evidence that highlights both the educational impact and the practical value for participating farms. By documenting this experience, we aim to offer a replicable model of grant-supported, multidisciplinary, experiential learning that benefits students, faculty, and community partners alike.