Aerial Drone Competition

Ages:Middle School, High School

Categories:Engineering, Robotics, STEM

Scope:National

Registration

Entry Fee: $

Contact


drones@roboticseducation.org

Supported by the REC Foundation, The Aerial Drone Competition offers an exciting educational drone sporting event that focuses on hands-on, student-centered learning.

Teams learn about drones, flight principles, programming, documentation, and communication skills while expanding their understanding and building interest for Drone-related workforce and career opportunities.

The Aerial Drone Competition includes three competitions at one event!

  1. Piloting and Teamwork Competition: An exciting challenge presented in the form of a game that changes each year. For the 2022-2023 Season, Four drones made up of two alliances fly around the field to score as many points as possible. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing alliance. The 2022-2023 Game Rules will be revealed in September 2022.
  2. Autonomous Flight Competition: One team competes against the clock to score as many points in a 1 minute match. Students will program their drones to score points entirely autonomously.
  3. Judging: Students showcase their workforce development skills through teamwork, critical thinking, project management, and communication skills required to prepare them to become the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. Teams will be interviewed by judges and submit their documentation for evaluation.
Competitions typically take place on a Saturday and run from approximately 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Some areas also have a league format where teams meet 4-5 times after school over a period of time to compete (typically two months).

The field elements (Arch Gates, Keyhole Gates and Landing Pads) will be used from year to year. Each year we will reveal a new game that will include different game elements. See competition website for manual with more details.
Performance Awards

Team Award.

Based on robot performance on the competition field in match play (Tournament Champion) and skills challenges (Robot Skills Champion).

Judged Awards

Team Award.

There are six judged awards based on team interviews:

1.    High Flyer Award

The High Flyer Award is given to the top overall team. It is the highest honor given out in the RAD Competition. As a strong contender in numerous award categories, this team is a shining example of dedication, devotion, hard work, and teamwork. This team deserves to be recognized for building a quality drone program and a “team” committed to quality in everything that they do.

2.    Flight Plan Award

The Flight Plan Award is presented to a team that demonstrates an organized and professional approach in regards to project and time management. Additionally, the team members have worked together to document and implement a safe and efficient operation.

3.    Modeling and 3D Printing Award

The Modeling and 3D Printing Award is presented to a team that demonstrates excellent use of 3D modeling of an original design, as a replacement part or additional parts(s) for the RADC drone.

4.    Flight Crew Award

The Flight Crew Award is presented to a team that can clearly explain their communication plan for both on and off the field.

5.    Mechanics and Control of Flight Award

The Mechanics and Control of Flight Award is presented to a team that has the most consistently high scoring and competitive drone.

6.    Judges Award

The Judges Award is presented to a team that is most deserving of special recognition. 

Website: https://www.roboticseducation.org/aerial-drone-competition/

Managing Organization: Robotics Education & Competition Foundation

Contact:

drones@roboticseducation.org

Eligibility:
Open to US middle and high school students. We recommend 3-5 students per team. Each team has one drone. A school or organization can register multiple teams to accommodate student interest.

Registration Opens: July 1, 2022

Registration Closes: May 15, 2023

Overview

Supported by the REC Foundation, The Aerial Drone Competition offers an exciting educational drone sporting event that focuses on hands-on, student-centered learning.

Teams learn about drones, flight principles, programming, documentation, and communication skills while expanding their understanding and building interest for Drone-related workforce and career opportunities.

Process

The Aerial Drone Competition includes three competitions at one event!
  1. Piloting and Teamwork Competition: An exciting challenge presented in the form of a game that changes each year. For the 2022-2023 Season, Four drones made up of two alliances fly around the field to score as many points as possible. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing alliance. The 2022-2023 Game Rules will be revealed in September 2022.
  2. Autonomous Flight Competition: One team competes against the clock to score as many points in a 1 minute match. Students will program their drones to score points entirely autonomously.
  3. Judging: Students showcase their workforce development skills through teamwork, critical thinking, project management, and communication skills required to prepare them to become the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. Teams will be interviewed by judges and submit their documentation for evaluation.
Competitions typically take place on a Saturday and run from approximately 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Some areas also have a league format where teams meet 4-5 times after school over a period of time to compete (typically two months).

Criteria

The field elements (Arch Gates, Keyhole Gates and Landing Pads) will be used from year to year. Each year we will reveal a new game that will include different game elements. See competition website for manual with more details.

Awards

Performance Awards

Team Award.

Based on robot performance on the competition field in match play (Tournament Champion) and skills challenges (Robot Skills Champion).

Judged Awards

Team Award.

There are six judged awards based on team interviews:

1.    High Flyer Award

The High Flyer Award is given to the top overall team. It is the highest honor given out in the RAD Competition. As a strong contender in numerous award categories, this team is a shining example of dedication, devotion, hard work, and teamwork. This team deserves to be recognized for building a quality drone program and a “team” committed to quality in everything that they do.

2.    Flight Plan Award

The Flight Plan Award is presented to a team that demonstrates an organized and professional approach in regards to project and time management. Additionally, the team members have worked together to document and implement a safe and efficient operation.

3.    Modeling and 3D Printing Award

The Modeling and 3D Printing Award is presented to a team that demonstrates excellent use of 3D modeling of an original design, as a replacement part or additional parts(s) for the RADC drone.

4.    Flight Crew Award

The Flight Crew Award is presented to a team that can clearly explain their communication plan for both on and off the field.

5.    Mechanics and Control of Flight Award

The Mechanics and Control of Flight Award is presented to a team that has the most consistently high scoring and competitive drone.

6.    Judges Award

The Judges Award is presented to a team that is most deserving of special recognition. 

Participate

Website: https://www.roboticseducation.org/aerial-drone-competition/

Managing Organization: Robotics Education & Competition Foundation

Contact:

drones@roboticseducation.org

Entry Fee:

Eligibility:
Open to US middle and high school students. We recommend 3-5 students per team. Each team has one drone. A school or organization can register multiple teams to accommodate student interest.

Deadlines

Registration Opens: July 1, 2022

Registration Closes: May 15, 2023