The drones are back in town! On Sunday, March 4, Liberty Science Center threw another great Day of Drones event in partnership with the New York City Drone Film Festival (NYCDFF).

Although there were drone activities the whole weekend, it was Sunday when we truly went all-out, with drone films, demos, classes, indoor and outdoor races, classes at all level types, and more.

One of the most unique parts of this year’s Day of Drones was a special dance performance with the Skydio R1 drone. Dancer Laszlo Major performed on the LSC steps alongside the Skydio R1, which is a self-flying drone that follows the subject around using trackers and artificial intelligence, recording great footage along the way.

Here is a video of Major’s performance:

And here is footage from the drone’s perspective:

This year, there were more classes than ever, at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

A few of this year’s classes included “Drones 101,” “Intro to Photogrammetry,” “Humanitarian Drones – An Exposition of Drone Use for Emergency Management Purposes,” "Making Good Drone Films Great: Editing Theory,” and “Color Correction for Drone Footage.”

We also had Drone University classes. In these 30-minute classes, participants learned all about the science of flight and the basics of aeronautics. After class, participants received some flying time.

Over in the Joseph D. Williams 3D Science Theater, audiences watched the winning films from this year’s NYCDFF originally screened at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

In Governors Hall, we reopened the Dronesium, a demonstration cage where professionals showed off their incredible drone technology.

At the Drone EXPO, several vendors displayed cutting-edge drone technology and equipment.

In PSE&G Court, Parrot Drones set up a cage where guests could safely try flying their drones.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a Day of Drones without races! Luckily, the weather was nice enough to hold outdoor races in our back lawn, as well as indoor races in our Skyscraper! exhibition. Guests immersed themselves in the races via first person view (FPV) goggles.

What an amazing day! Thanks to everyone who came out. Keep following us here on the LSC blog, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, for updates on upcoming drone events here at the Science Center.