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The Walnut Street YMCA will launch a new Drone Soccer program with a kickoff event scheduled for Saturday, February 11th at 1 p.m. The Y is currently looking to secure an $80,000 investment to run the program. Drone Soccer is an indoor team sport where radio-controlled quadcopters are wrapped in protective shields designed for collisions. Teams are comprised of five players and compete within a netted arena. This is a proven program to help students learn engineering skills which can lead to exciting careers in aviation. Before competitions, the students must first learn to build, program, fly and repair the drones. “We're excited to have the drone program here at the Walnut Street YMCA. This innovative initiative will provide opportunities for our students to learn about aviation, flight, and STEAM,” said Anesha Law, Director of Youth Operations at the Walnut Street YMCA. “This program will enhance their skills and expose our students to different career paths that are available through science and technology.” “A lot of our Walnut St. teens are in love with STEAM. They're gamers, technology is their passion and we’re just meeting them where they are,” said Gau-Wan Smith, Walnut Street YMCA Teen Program Director. “We're looking to provide an opportunity for them to dig deeper into some of their interests. With the Drone Soccer initiative, they're able to learn drone operations and gain knowledge on the pathway of aviation.”