Associated Press

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) – University students in Virginia have been using drones to help solve community problems.

The Virginian-Pilot reports (http://bit.ly/2fUpURK) that a course on drones is being offered jointly by James Madison, George Mason and Old Dominion universities. Students have helped firefighters find blazes in remote areas and aided law enforcement officials with water rescues.

Projects have also focused on helping communities in other countries. They’ve included detonating land mines and restoring communication for first responders after a hurricane.

The course is called “The Virginia Drone Project.” Forty-one students meet on Wednesday nights, sometimes through videoconferencing.