This paper provides an overview of student activities during 2010 summer and beyond in projects titled Aerial Imaging and Remote Sensing for Precision Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship (AIRSPACES) and Environmentally Conscious Precision Agriculture: A Platform for Active Learning and Community Engagement led by the primary author. The paper highlights the kite aerial photography (KAP), remote controlled/autonomous instrumented boat (Aquabot), and optical sensor based nitrogen management

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... efforts. Kite Aerial Photography (KAP), and the Remote Controlled Boat (Aquabot) endeavors were inspired by the remote sensing and environmental run-off monitoring facets of the ongoing "Precision Agriculture (PA)" project. The KAP and Aquabot projects were initiated by the NASA support for the Minority Serving Institute Partnership (MSIP) program in 2009 summer. Sustained involvement of students to address engineering challenges for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship has been facilitated by continued support from Maryland Space Grant Consortium/NASA and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The faculty and staff from programs in Natural Sciences, Agriculture, Aviation Sciences, Engineering, and Technology have partnered effectively in these multi-disciplinary undertakings. Active collaborations and campus visits of scientists and engineers at the USDA and NASA have not only promoted project goals, but also opened pathways for career opportunities and professional development for participating students and faculty respectively.