Six seniors from CAST STEM High School turned their summer break into a hands‑on public‑health project on San Antonio’s Southwest Side. Under the guidance of drone instructor Cerina Martinez‑Zamora, the students piloted FAA‑licensed drones to capture three‑dimensional images of parks, sidewalks and other public infrastructure.
Internship origins and funding
The ten‑week internship was created by the Dee Howard Foundation, an aerospace workforce‑development group, and former District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, now president of the Center for Health Empowerment in South Texas (CHEST). Financial support came from Workforce Solutions Alamo, which provided $3,000 per student, and additional equipment and technology assistance from the 80|20 Foundation and Amazon.
Learning the ropes
Students first learned the Federal Aviation Administration’s regulations, air‑space restrictions and the 60‑question aeronautical knowledge exam required for a remote‑pilot certificate. Martinez‑Zamora’s class focused on safety guidelines, software troubleshooting and the basics of 3‑D mapping.
After certification, the six interns—Liam Nerio, Mason Withers, Isaac Cerda, Lana Jimenez, Destien Terrazas and Jackson Piatnek—spent weeks in the library of McAuliffe Middle School planning roles, testing software and defining “walkability” metrics.
Mapping the community
Outfitted in bright yellow vests marked “FAA Licensed Commercial Drone Pilot,” the team flew over Pearsall Park, a site that borders Lackland Air Force Base and required special air‑space permission. Their drones captured detailed images of shaded bus stops, bike tracks, sidewalks and other features that affect residents’ ability to walk, bike or use the park safely.
In addition to aerial data, the students surveyed park visitors. The surveys revealed that many users travel from across San Antonio, while few local District 4 residents frequent the park, highlighting accessibility challenges.
Connecting data to health outcomes
CHEST uses social determinants of health—such as walkability, shade structures and safe pedestrian routes—to identify why life expectancy and diabetic amputation rates are lower on the South Side compared with other parts of the city. By visualizing infrastructure gaps, the interns provided concrete evidence for local leaders.
District 4 Councilman Edward Mungia received an early presentation of the findings. Students pointed out damaged zip lines, missing signage and a lack of sidewalks that hinder safe access. “The 3‑D mapping really helps us,” said Isaac Cerda.
Looking ahead
The internship concludes as school resumes, but the students plan to share their maps with city officials and Bexar County representatives. Their work aims to spur improvements that could reduce health inequities and inspire more youth to consider careers in aerospace, cyber security or public‑health technology.
“We didn’t let one person do everything,” said Jackson Piatnek, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that prepared the group for real‑world problem solving.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
