DALLAS, Pa. — Surveying engineering students from Penn State Wilkes-Barre had the chance to fine-tune industry-level equipment they use in the classroom and network with industry professionals in the region during the Northeast Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors’ (PSLS) annual calibration baseline picnic.
The event was held at the Susquehanna Riverlands park near Berwick, bringing together regional members of the PSLS, their families and other invitees, including a group of students from Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Students were accompanied by Dimitrios Bolkas, associate professor of surveying engineering, Salvatore Marsico, associate professor of engineering and associate professor of surveying engineering, and Theodore Frear, adjunct lecturer of surveying engineering.
The chapter set up a monumented electronic distance measurement (EDM) calibration baseline at the park, where attendees checked and calibrated their instruments. In addition to instruments from Penn State Wilkes-Barre, students had the opportunity to see a variety of other surveying equipment and how professionals in the field calibrated it to ensure measurement accuracy for their day-to-day work. A drone demonstration was also conducted.
For Gabrielle "Gabby" Avila, a second-year student pursuing a bachelor's degree in surveying engineering, seeing the drone in action was a highlight.
“We got to see what [the pilot’s] screen looked like as he was flying, taking pictures as it was going. I had not seen that type of drone before," Avila said.
Luke Smeland, who is in his first year of the two-year surveying engineering technology program at the campus, spoke with one industry professional at the picnic about the drone. “He stressed the importance of getting your drone pilot’s license,” said Smeland. “A lot of companies are going that direction, so it is helpful to have that license.” Smeland added he is interested in pursuing his drone pilot’s license concurrently with his studies at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
Intermittent rain showers throughout the event provided an unexpected learning opportunity for students.
“We got to see the impact that weather can have on your measurements,” said Smeland. “It can throw your data way off.”
The calibration picnic coincided with course content from SUR 241: Surveying Measurement Analysis, taught by Bolkas.
“In the course, the students learn about error analysis of measurements and calibration of instruments such as total stations, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), laser scanning technology and more,” Bolkas said. “It is a great experience for them to see that professionals in the field are using this equipment, making regular updates to their tools, and focusing on accuracy. These are all things we talk about in class.”
For Avila, getting the chance to network in a nontraditional setting was an added benefit. “To be able to talk to everyone at a park was a very nice change of pace and kept it more casual,” she said.
The calibration picnic is one of many opportunities students get to interact with professionals from PSLS throughout the year. “We have always had a strong connection [with the PSLS],” said Bolkas. “Through events like these, our students can get internships and continue networking within the profession. Then, when they need help — whether they are current students or after they graduate — those from the PSLS are familiar faces. We have a very good community and camaraderie as a profession.”