Abstract:

The links between MASIM, the Romanian project- Multi-Agent Aerial System with Portable Ground Station for Information Management and schools are going further. MASIM proposes acquisition, management and sharing of spatial information in areas of interest by using a multi agent system platforms in air, coordinated by a portable ground. This innovative technology integrates autopilot-level significant progress and on-board sensors that may be miniaturized and outstanding performance levels can successfully replace conventional systems (aircraft or UAVs). The problem of network co-coordination was extended by using the concept of "swarm" in which the number of participants is much greater, however, without affecting communication and avoiding transmission delays between air vectors.
On the other hand, the Romanian educational system needs some new challenges and such kind of approaches by using drones and aerial systems could revive the interest for studying STEM subjects. The educational approach of MASIM offers students the conceptualization of the principles of predefined tasks in a multi-agent concept as well as the functioning of sensors used directly in navigation and for the mission to be accomplished.
Pupils and students can predefine Mission Planner scenarios in order to carry out punctual or multi-objective tasks which are performed with an air vector or air vectors in cooperation. They use Mission Planner for point-and-click waypoint entry, using Google maps in order to create mission commands and to analyze log files.

The main features underlying the MASIM educational methodology and which offer outstanding educational opportunities for the studying of STEM subjects are:
- mathematical concepts and programming algorithms underlying the multi-agent communication of the sensors (image, biometrics) and the execution elements used (servos, propulsion elements);
- the design and production of fixed wing and rotary wing air type vectors (the principles of design and the manufacturing technologies, the materials used);
- testing valid scenarios available for MASIM (acquisition and data processing/shipping products in a busy, dynamic and uncertain environment such as crisis situations- detection of forest fires, detection and launching packages for flood victims) in terms of modern airspace.
- dynamic approaches regarding the concepts from the point of view of norms, regulations and laws that underlie the use of unmanned aerial systems and consequently the use of MASIM in modern airspace conditions.

Keywords:

Multi-Agent Aerial System, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Project-based learning, STEM.