Contact Us
General Season Updates and Resources 23-24
Welcome coaches, event partners, and community members. Each Tuesday, your Aerial Drone Competition Support team will post weekly updates for important information throughout the season. Bookmark this page for quick and easy references of community updates.
Most Commonly Used Links
Aerial Drone Competition Website - General information, competition manual and video
Robolink Website - Order drones and find info for programming and piloting the CoDrone EDU
Drone Competition Gates Website - Order Field Elements and Game Elements
2023-2024 Training Videos and Resources - Training materials
2023-2024 Aerial Drone Competition Events - Find and register for events
Your Support Team
Nadine Amaya - Program Support Manager - First point of Contact for Coaches and Event Partners
Nadine_Amaya@RECF.org
601-402-5851
Schedule a call or Google Meet with me: https://calendly.com/nadine_amaya/30min
Louann Cormier - Senior Program Director
Louann_Cormier@RECF.org
202-809-0547
CoDrone EDU Support
For Sales/Orders Assistance
EMAIL: info@robolink.com
For Technical Support
EMAIL: support@robolink.com
Weekly Updates
Vol 20. (11.14.23): Weekly Recap
This past weekend over 100 Aerial Drone Competition teams participated in Teamwork, Piloting Skills, Autonomous Flight Skills, and Communication Missions in Colorado, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Hawaii, and West Virginia!
“The judges and I agree that we observed the teams far more engaged throughout the tournament this season. The variety of challenges increased participation among all the members of the team.” --Todd Ensign - Judge
Earning Spots to Regional Championships
Our team is finalizing the number of qualifying events around the country as well as dates and locations for Regional Championships. We will be assigning spots to each qualifying event on 12/1/2023.
Official Tournaments and Leagues with at least 12 registered teams will be assigned spots.
Additional spots may be allocated based on team registrations and number of events on January 12, 2024.
| Championship Region | Location | City, State | Date |
| Northeast | Fairmont State University | Fairmont, West Virginia | May 17 - May 18, 2024 |
| Southeast | Mississippi Coliseum | Jackson, Mississippi | April 12 - April 13, 2024 |
| North Central | Kettering University | Flint, Michigan | May 17 - May 19, 2024 |
| South Central | TBD | ||
| West | Legacy Event Center | Salt Lake City, Utah | May 31 - June 1, 2024 |
| JROTC National Championship | Batesville Civic Center | Batesville, Mississippi | April 4 - April 6, 2024 |
| Middle School Only Championship* | University of Tennessee - Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Tennessee | May 16 - 17, 2024 |
*For the 2023-2024 season, Middle School teams have the option of registering for and attending the Championship in their assigned region OR register to attend the Middle School Only Championship in Tennessee.
See the Qualifying Criteria for more details.
Upcoming Events
With over 80 upcoming events to choose from, teams should register for their local competitions today at RobotEvents.com!
Plan on hosting an event of your own? We are currently finalizing events for January, February, and March! Send a message to drones@recf.org by December 1, 2023, so we can include your event in our qualifying structure.
See all the events and register your teams now!
CoDrone EDU Pilot Certification
Robolink put together a quiz for our educators and students to become a "certified CoDrone EDU pilot.” We encourage you to go through the 7 getting started with the CoDrone EDU course on Robolink's website and then take the certification! Be sure to include a copy of your certification in your competition logbook for judges to see at competition.
CoDrone EDU Pilot Certification: https://learn.robolink.com/quizzes/pilot-quiz/
CoDrone EDU Tips
Did you know that the CoDrone EDU has three speed settings: S1, S2 and S3? Control the speed of your drone by pressing L1 on your controller.
Learn more about the Controller buttons and other ways to optimize your piloting skills at Robolink.com.
Upcoming Webinars
- Coach Training on Wednesday, November 29, 2023
- Judge and Judge Advisor Training, Monday, December 4, 2023
- Head Referee and Scorekeeper Referee Training, Monday, December 4, 2023
- Coach Training on Tuesday, December 5, 2023
- Intro to the CoDrone EDU on Tuesday, December 5, 2023
See the entire schedule onRobotEvents.com.
Vol. 19 (11.1.23): Weekly recap
Thank you to Manchester Community College in Manchester New Hampshire and River Valley Technical Center in Vermont for hosting workshops to introduce the Aerial Drone Competition to the region.
Updates to Tournament Manager and Competition Manual
Be sure to update your Tournament Manager software. This update:
- Fixed an issue that prevented TM Mobile from scoring ADC elimination matches
- Fixed an issue causing the local IP address to be blank in the Mobile Devices screen
Competition Manual Version 1.1 has been released. Be sure to check out the updated manual and read the official Q&A for rule clarifications.
Help Wanted
Part Time Regional Support Specialist
We are expanding our team! We are looking for 2 part time Regional Support Specialists. This position is primarily responsible for supporting Event Partners and Coaches. Interested in learning more? Check out the job description and apply here.
Mentor
We are also expanding our mentor program. Mentors will connect with teams to offer support and guidance in starting and running an Aerial Drone Competition team. Read more about our Mentorship program here. If interested, please fill out this form.
Team Registration
Our goal is to have all teams registered for the season by December 15th. This gives our team time to work with local event partners to ensure everyone has events to attend! Remember you can always register now and hit pay later (if you are waiting for funds). Help us plan for a successful season by registering your teams today at RobotEvents.com.
We currently have teams in 36 states!
Time to Register for your Local Qualifying Competition
Each week more competition options open up! Have you registered for your local event yet? Don’t delay as events can fill up! Don't see an event near you? Consider hosting one of your own or check back soon. We are adding events weekly. The deadline to list your event and earn qualifying spots to the championship event is December 1st.
Training and Support
Have questions?
- First place to look for information for coaches and teams is on our website: https://roboticseducation.org/aerial-drone-competition/.
- REC Library for Coaches/Teams
- REC Library for Event partners
- REC Library for Volunteers
Upcoming Webinars
Judge Advisor Training: Monday November 13th at 6:30pm Central
Head Referee and Scorekeeper Training: Monday November 13th at 5pm Central
See the entire schedule on RobotEvents.com.
Online Challenges Available
Our online challenges are an extension of our competition and open to all registered Aerial Drone Competition Teams. Winners can earn spots to their Regional Championship! Submissions due 1/31/24.
- Drone Career Readiness
- International Robotics Honor Society Service Award
- Student Advocacy Award
- MathWorks FollowThePath Challenge
TRUST Certificate
The REC Foundation is an approved Test Administrator of the FAA-approved Test Administrator of The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST).
TRUST is a collaboration between the FAA and industry to provide TRUST and educational safety material to Recreational Flyers.
Vol. 18 (10.24.23): Weekly recap
Last week there were events, scrimmage and workshops in PA, FL, MS and CA. Every week new teams across the country are being introduced to the Aerial Drone Competition and our program is growing. Thank you Pacifica Christian High School in Santa Monica for hosting a workshop in California!
"For the LIVE demos, I made up score cards and everyone, students and coaches, acted as referees for each of the LIVE demos!!! It worked out GREAT!!! I ran a bunch of timed runs for each mission, and the students and coaches were all trying to figure out the total score!!!"
-David Sumida
Team Registration
Our goal is to have all teams registered for the season by December 15th. This gives our team time to work with local event partners to ensure everyone has events to attend! Remember you can always register now and hit pay later (if you are waiting for funds). Help us plan for a successful season by registering your teams today at RobotEvents.com. We also have a LIMITED number of grants for NEW teams that include registration fees, drones and competition fields. Tell a friend!
The priority for these grants are
- Military Impacted Schools (schools with a 20% or more population of students with parents in the military, typically near a base)
- Schools with a large percentage of Indigenous Students (typically near reservations)
- Underserved Communities
- Rural or Title One Schools
If you need assistance and fit in any of the above demographics, please fill out this survey ASAP. These are limited in quantity and won't last long.
Upcoming Events
There are over 75 competitions listed in RobotEvents.com for teams to register for! Ensure your spot at your local competition by registering today. Don't see an event near you? Consider hosting one of your own or check back soon. We are adding events weekly. The deadline to list your event and earn qualifying spots to the championship event is December 1st.
Training and Support
Have questions? Check out our REC Library for articles on topics like
- How to get started with the CoDrone EDU?
- How should I prepare for a team interview at a competition?
- What Region is my team in?
- How do I host a competition?
Or join us for one of our upcoming webinars. See the entire schedule on RobotEvents.com.
Tips and Tricks from Mission 2024: Eclipse
Be sure to read the competition manual for all the rules of Mission 2024: Eclipse. Be sure to note that there are 4 missions for teams to partake in.
- Teamwork Mission
- Piloting Skills Mission
- Autonomous Skills Mission
- Communication Mission
Piloting Skills Mission is new this season and the feedback has been wonderful! Be sure to read rule <PM9> about the Flight Path. Pilots must complete each step before moving on to the next step. If they skip a step, they will need to go back and complete it before moving on.
Updates Coming
The week of November 1st we will be releasing updates to
- Competition Manual
- Qualifying Criteria
- Judging Materials
No major changes expected, just clarifications and edits to make things more clear! Be sure to check back next week for the most up to date Mission 2023: Eclipse season information.
Vol. 17 (10.10.2023): Mission 2024: Eclipse has launched
Mission 2024: Eclipse launched September 7th! Have you reviewed the competition manual yet? See all the rules for the 4 Missions here.
We had our first competition of the season with 26 teams competing in Colorado Springs, CO. Congratulations to:
- High School Excellence Award winner: 80817F from Fountain-Fort Carson
- Middle School Excellence Award winner 84995C from Janitell Junior High
Are you ready for your upcoming competitions? Be sure to be familiar with the competition manual and watch the Game Video. Make plans now and register for your local event at RobotEvents.com.
Qualifying Criteria has been published
Each season, the REC Foundation creates the Qualifying Criteria for the Aerial Drone Competition. This document includes topics such as event criteria, required awards, dates and deadlines, region assignments, Regional Championship details, and which awards earn invitations to championships.
Event Regions and Championship Updates
This season we have:
- Added a Middle School Only Championship. Middle School teams will have the choice to attend the Middle School Only Championship or attend the Regional Championship for their region. The long-term goal is to have dedicated High School and Middle School Championships in 2025!
- Added a JROTC National Championship. JROTC teams can attend the JROTC National Championship and/or the Regional Championship for their region.
- Defined five Aerial Drone Competition Regions and identified the location of each Region’s Mission 2024: Eclipse Championship Event, including a new Regional Championship for West Coast teams. Teams will compete with other teams in their area to be recognized as the Champions of their competition Region.
Check out the Qualifying Criteria for the Aerial Drone Competition for more information.
| Championship Region | Location | City, State | Date |
| Northeast | Fairmont State University | Fairmont, West Virginia | May 17 - May 19, 2024 |
| Southeast | Mississippi Coliseum | Jackson, Mississippi | April 12 - April 13, 2024 |
| North Central | Kettering University | Flint, Michigan | May 17 - May 19, 2024 |
| South Central | TBD | ||
| West | Legacy Event Center | Salt Lake City, Utah | May 31 - June 1, 2024 |
| JROTC National Championship | Batesville Civic Center | Batesville, MS | April 4 - April 6, 2024 |
| Middle School Only Championship* |
University of Tennessee - Chattanooga |
Tennessee | May 16 - 17, 2024 |
Grants Available
Due to the generosity of our sponsors we have a LIMITED number of Team Registration Grants for Returning Aerial Drone Competition Teams being offered to organizations in need. If you could use assistance in registering your teams this season, please fill out this form and our grant team will work to match you with a grant based on your demographics.
We also have a LIMITED number of grants for NEW teams that include registration fees, drones and competition fields. Tell a friend!
The priority for these grants are
- Military Impacted Schools (schools with a 20% or more population of students with parents in the military, typically near a base)
- Schools with a large percentage of Indigenous Students (typically near reservations)
- Underserved Communities
- Rural or Title One Schools
If you need assistance and fit in any of the above demographics, please fill out this survey ASAP. These are limited in quantity and won't last long.
Getting Started with the CoDrone EDU and CoDrone EDU Pilot License
We recommend that all team members (and coaches) complete the 7 Getting Started lessons at Robolink.com. Coming soon is a CoDrone EDU Pilot License and we will be recommending that ALL team members earn their license by taking the Quiz. Questions will be based on the 7 Getting Started Lessons! Team members will be encouraged to print out their certificate and include it in their Competition Logbook! Judges will be looking for those certificates as part of the Judging Rubrics.
Online Challenges Available
Our online challenges are an extension of our competition and open to all registered Aerial Drone Competition Teams. Winners can earn spots to their Regional Championship! Submissions due 1/31/24.
- Drone Career Readiness
- International Robotics Honor Society Service Award
- Student Advocacy Award
- MathWorks FollowThePath Challenge
Drone Cases now Available
Keep your drone safe with these drone cases specially designed for Aerial Drone Competition Teams.
Order at RobotEvents.com or directly from Drone Competition Gates.
Updated CoDrone EDU Digital Guide
Robolink has updated the CoDrone EDU User Manual to reflect some of the most commonly asked questions and shared tips and tricks to keep your drone flying! Check it out here.
Webinars/Training
Upcoming Webinars - Please feel free to share this link with your volunteers and others in your community that might be interested in our program!
- Monday 10/16 6pm Central - Head Referee and Scorekeeper Training
- Monday 10/16 7pm Central - Judge and Judge Advisor Training
- Tuesday 10/17 5:30pm Central - Introduction to the Aerial Drone Competition
- Tuesday 10/17 6:30pm Central - Introduction to the CoDrone EDU
Vol. 16 (9.26.2023)
Help us help you! Register your teams by December 15th
Please register your teams in RobotEvents.com by Dec.15th so we can assure there are events for your teams to attend and we can make plans for our Championship Events.
Thinking about hosting an event? Post by November 1st
Reach out to our Aerial Drone Competition Support Team to reserve your date now! Our team needs to know how many events each region will be having so we can plan the Championship events and have events for all teams to attend. We would like to have all events posted by Nov. 1st. Questions? Reach out to us today!
Tournament Manager Software for Aerial Drone Competition
-
Now live and ready to use!
- Download the free software here: https://vextm.dwabtech.com/
Mobile Scoring App has been 100% Updated and Redesigned
If you have the app downloaded from previous seasons, you’ll need to delete the app and download the updated and redesigned app for Mission 2024: Eclipse.
- For Apple Devices: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vex-tm-mobile/id1046117870
- For Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dwabtech.tmmobile&pli=1
Training Webinars for Coaches, Event Partners and Volunteers are in Process
Plan to register for virtual training sessions to prepare for the 23-24 Competition Season! Use this LINK to find training sessions and register FREE! All of these sessions are open to anyone interested in learning more about the Aerial Drone Competition. You need a Robot Events account to register. Need an account? It is easy! Just use this LINK.
Vol. 15 (9.20.2023) Updates
Training Webinars for Coaches, Event Partners and Volunteers are in Process
Plan to register for virtual training sessions to prepare for the 23-24 Competition Season! Use this LINK to find training sessions and register FREE! All of these sessions are open to anyone interested in learning more about the Aerial Drone Competition. You need a Robot Events account to register. Need an account? It is easy! Just use this LINK.
- Referee and Scorekeeper Training Wed. 9/20 6:00 - 6:45pm CST
- Judge and Judge Advisor Training Wed. 9/20 7:00 - 7:45pm CST
- Introduction to Aerial Drone Competition Mon. 9/25 6:00 - 7:00pm CST
- Coaching Training Mon. 9/25 6:00 - 7:00pm CST
- Event Partner Training Tues. 9/26 5:30 - 6:30pm CST
- Introduction to CoDrone Edu Tues. 9/26 6:30 - 7:30pm CST
Register Your Teams for the 2023-2024 Season
New teams are registering weekly!
Is your state on the map yet?
Teams in Red! Events in Green!
Events for this Season are being scheduled now
Interested in hosting an event this Season? Email us at drones@recf.org to get started. Thank you to all those Event Partners that have already posted events. Use this direct link to find events as they are added: https://www.robotevents.com/robot-competitions/adc.
Vol. 14 (9.13.2023) - Season Kickoff
Mission 2024: Eclipse has launched
We are no longer keeping you in the dark! Mission 2024: Eclipse has launched and excitement is growing for the 2023-2024 Season as teams are registering and events are being added weekly! Catch the excitement by watching the Game Video and reviewing the Competition Manual on our Website.
Training Webinars for Coaches, Event Partners, and Volunteers are in Process
Plan to register for virtual training sessions to prepare for the 23-24 Competition Season! Use this LINK to find training sessions and register FREE!
- Referee and Scorekeeper Training Wednesday 9/20 6:00 - 6:45pm CST
- Judge and Judge Advisor Training Wednesday 9/20 7:00- 7:45 pm CST
Additional Sessions will be posted soon!
Register Your Teams
- Texas now has the most registered teams for the 23-24 Competition Season!
Where to Find Tournaments
-
Use this LINK to plan your competition schedule and register for tournaments!
- It is not too late to host an event. If you would like to host a tournament in your area reach out to us at drones@recf.org and we can help you.
Girl Powered Workshops are for Drones, too!
Girl Powered Workshops presented by Google are open to Drone Teams, too. Check out the information using this LINK. There’s still time to be one of the first events registered and receive a box of SWAG to give out at your Workshop! If you are interested in hosting a Girl Powered Workshop, reach out to me at Nadine_Amaya@recf.org.
Vol. 13 (9.5.2023)
Game Reveal is just 2 days away!
The Game Reveal will be on Sept. 7th. If you have any special plans for your teams, share the excitement with us by using our hashtag: #omgdrones. Look for the video on our Website and Facebook.
Order Game Element Kit Now
Flying off the shelves this week to you are the 2023- 2034 Game Elements . . . order yours today!
https://dronecompetitiongates.com/?product=2023-2024-field-elements-kit
Grant Opportunities Available in Several States: Deadlines approaching
If you are aware of any funding opportunities in other states please share so we can post them here.
Alabama: AMSTI Robotics Grant: Use this Link to the Application to Apply
- Only one grant is available per school. Each LEA can apply to receive funding not to exceed $3,500 per school.
- Applicants must be an Alabama public school LEA submitting on behalf of schools with elementary (Grades K-5), middle (Grades 6-8), or high (Grades 9-12) school students.
- Application Available/Competition Opens: August 3, 2023
- Deadline for Applications: September 30, 2023
- Includes drones
Michigan: 99H Funding
Nevada: K-5 STEM Grant: Use this Link to the Application to Apply
- Up to $2,000 per individual educator (“Classroom Awards”),
- and/or up to $25,000 per school (“Program Awards”)
- Proposals Due: November 3, 2023
Utah: Utah STEM Competition Grant: Use this Link to the Application to Apply
- Grant requests may vary, with a maximum award of $5,000
- Application opens for submissions: August 1 of every year
- Applications are due: September 30 of every year
- Designed to support Utah students, grades K-12, participating in STEM competitions
- Each school is allowed ONE school-wide application
Vol. 12 (8.29.2023)
How to Register a Team
- Tennessee and Michigan are in the lead for the most registered teams for the 23-24 Competition Season!
- We already have 199 teams registered and more are registering daily!
Where to Find Tournaments
-
Use this LINK
Drone cases now available for purchase
Looking for storage ideas for your CoDrone Edu? Check out the NEW storage cases now available from Drone Competition Gates. Here is the LINK.
Vol. 11 (8.22.2023)
Game Reveal is just 16 days away!
The Game Reveal will be on Sept. 7th. If you have any special plans for your teams, share the excitement with us by using our hashtag: #omgdrones.
Training Webinar Schedule for September in Process
Plan to register for virtual training sessions to prepare for the 23-24 Competition Season! Use this LINK to find training sessions and register FREE!
Intro to Aerial Drone Competition Monday 9/11 6:00 - 6:45pm CST
Coaching 101 Monday 9/11 7:00 - 7:45 pm CST
Event Partner Training Tuesday 9/12 5:30 - 6:15 pm CST
Referee and Scorekeeper Training Wednesday 9/13 6:00 - 6:45pm CST
Judge and Judge Advisor Training Wednesday 9/13 7:00- 7:45 pm CST
Additional Sessions will be posted soon!
Girl Powered Workshops are for Drones, too!
Girl Powered Workshops presented by Google are open to Drone Teams, too. Check out the information using this LINK. There’s still time to be one of the first events registered. Those will receive a box of SWAG to give out at their Workshops! If you are interested in hosting a Girl Powered Workshop, reach out to me at Nadine_Amaya@recf.org.
Have you registered your teams?
We now have teams registered in 22 states! AND more are registering daily!
Plan to Host a Tournament or League this Season?
Shout out to all those that have already posted events that are approved! We now have 21 events scheduled. AND plans for more events are already underway! Check out events here: https://www.robotevents.com/robot-competitions/adc. If you are interested in hosting an event, reach out to me so we can put you on our planning calendar.
Vol. 10 (8.15.2023)
Coffee Chat is this Thursday, August 17th at 6pm CST
Open Discussion Hour! Time to hear about updates and ask any questions you may have! Grab your favorite beverage and join us on Google Meet! Here is the link to join the discussion: https://meet.google.com/xbi-zaes-pso.
Girl Powered Workshops are for Drones, too!
Girl Powered Workshops presented by Google are open to Drone Teams, too. Check out the information using this LINK. First events registered receive a box of SWAG to give out at their Workshops! If you are interested in hosting a Girl Powered Workshop, reach out to me at Nadine_Amaya@recf.org.
Have you registered your teams yet?
Shout out to all those that have already registered for the 2023-2024 season! We now have teams registered in 21 states! AND more are registering daily! Look for information soon about Coaching Webinars!
Plan to Host a Tournament or League this Season?
Shout out to all those that have already posted events that are approved! We now have events in 8 states! AND plans for events are already underway in many others! Check out events here: https://www.robotevents.com/robot-competitions/adc. More will be added by Friday! If you are interested in hosting an event, reach out to me so we can put you on our planning calendar. Event Partner Training Webinars are coming soon!
Vol. 9 (8.8.2023)
Game Reveal is just a month away!
Mark your calendars! The Game Reveal will be on Sept. 7th. Some coaches have planned Game Reveal Parties. Share the excitement with us by using our hashtag: #omgdrones.
Next Coffee Chat is on Thursday, August 17th at 6pm CST
Have questions? Grab your favorite beverage and join us on Google Meet! Here is the link to join the discussion: https://meet.google.com/xbi-zaes-pso.
Video Spotlight
Share this VIDEO with students, colleagues, and admins to share the excitement of the Aerial Drone Competition with others in your community!
Resource Library
Exciting updates are being made to our website and resource library. More details will be shared soon.
Vol. 8 (8.1.2023)
Game Reveal is coming on September 7th
Mark your calendars! The Game Reveal is just a little over a month away. Some coaches have planned Game Reveal Parties. Share the excitement with us by using our hashtag: #omgdrones.
Girl Powered Workshops
Girl Powered Workshops presented by Google are open to Drone Teams, too. Check out the information using this LINK. If you are interested in hosting a Girl Powered Workshop, reach out to me at Nadine_Amaya@recf.org.
Register Your Teams for the 2023-2024 Season
New teams are registering weekly!
Is your state on the map yet?
Teams in Yellow! Events in Green!
Interested in hosting an event this Seas
Events for this Season are being scheduled now
on? Email us at drones@recf.org to get started. Thank you to all those Event Partners that have already posted events. Use this direct link to find events as they are added: https://www.robotevents.com/robot-competitions/adc.
Vol. 7 (7.25.2023)
Funding Assistance: Team Registration Scholarships Available
Our friends at Tennessee Valley Robotics are offering a limited number of Team Registration Scholarships to teams in the greater Tennessee Area. If you are located in the area shown on the map below fill out this survey and our team will review to see if you qualify! This is open for new and returning teams in the identified zip codes in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, North Carolina, and Alabama
Game Reveal is coming on September 7th
Mark your calendars! Catch the excitement!
Register Your Teams for the 2023-2024 Season
A big shout out to all those that have already registered teams for this season in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
Events for this Season are being scheduled now
Interested in hosting an event this Season? Email us at drones@recf.org to get started. Thank you to all those Event Partners that have already posted events in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas! Use this direct link to find events as they are added: https://www.robotevents.com/robot-competitions/adc.
Vol. 6 (7.19.2023)
Virtual Summit for Coaches/Event Partners for Aerial Drone Competition: Recap
The focus of the first day was on Teams and Coaches. Today’s focus was on Events and Event Partners.
- A HUGE thank you to everyone that joined our sessions. Your discussion and feedback is invaluable to the continued success of our program. We appreciate you!
- If you missed these Training Sessions, you can access the Presentation Slides and Videos from each session by using this link: 2023-2024 Training Videos and Resources.
Register Your Teams for the 2023-2024 Season
Teams have already started registering and we anticipate record growth of teams! By registering your teams as soon as you can you help us prepare for events and the Championships!
A big shout out to all those that have already registered! THANK YOU!
Vol. 5 (7.14.2023)
Application to Host Regional Championship 2024: Deadline is Today
If you are interested in hosting one of our 2024 Regional Championship Events, please review the Requirements to Host a REGIONAL Championship Event and complete this APPLICATION by July 14th to be considered. We plan to announce the locations of the Championships on August 1st.
Virtual Summit for Coaches/Event Partners for Aerial Drone Competition: July 18-19
We hope you can join us live but if not be sure to register so you will receive the recordings of the sessions! This is open to NEW and RETURNING Coaches and Event Partners.
- Use this link to Register now.
- Registration is free.
- This event will cover the topics you want to hear about!
- Save the dates July 18th - 19th.
Game Reveal is coming on September 7th
Mark your calendars! Catch the excitement!
Events for this Season are being scheduled now
See if your state is one of the first approved and begin planning your season now by visiting RobotEvents.com. Use this direct link: https://www.robotevents.com/robot-competitions/adc.
Register Your Teams for the 2023-2024 Season
Teams have already started registering and we anticipate record growth of teams!
Vol. 4 (7.3.2023)
Happy 4th of July! Our staff will be out of the office on 7.4.2023 to celebrate the holiday with their family and friends.
Coffee Chat Hours
- Have questions? Join us during one of our Coffee Chats! Grab your favorite beverage and join us on Google Meet. Wednesday, July 5th at 1pm CST Wednesday, July 12th at 7pm CST Thursday, July 13th at 1pm CST
Stay Connected
- Bookmark our website using this link: https://roboticseducation.org/aerial-drone-competition/
- Join our Facebook page using this link: http://www.facebook.com/groups/aerialdronecompetition/
Virtual Summit for Coaches/Event Partners for Aerial Drone Competition
- This event will cover the topics you want to hear about! Details coming soon.
- Save the dates July 18th - 19th.
- Register now.
Updates and Reminders
- Register Teams Now on Robot Events.com
- Qualifying Tournaments and Leagues are being scheduled now
- Check out events scheduled in the following states: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Missouri and South Carolina.
- Application to Host one our Regional Championships is due by July 14th
Vol. 3 (6.28.2023)
Coffee Chat Hours
- Have questions? Join us during one of our Coffee Chats! Grab your favorite beverage and join us on Google Meet. Wednesday, July 5th at 1pm CST. More dates will be posted soon!
Updates and Reminders
- Informational Flyer
- Registration is Open Now for New and Returning Teams on Robot Events.com
- Qualifying Tournaments and Leagues are being scheduled now
- Check out events scheduled in the following states: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Missouri and South Carolina.
- Application to Host one our Regional Championships is due by July 14th
Thank you
- Our Aerial Drone Competition Support team is always available to answer your questions. Feel free to reach out to us anytime. You can find our contact information on page 2 of this resource.
Vol. 2 (6.20.2023)
Coffee Chats
Have questions about the upcoming Season?
Interested in starting new Aerial Drone Competition teams?
Join us for one of our Coffee Chats this week!
1pm CST Wednesday: meet.google.com/nkz-iyzn-nyh
7pm CST Thursday: meet.google.com/whh-jskc-vne
Drone Tips and Resources
- CoDrone Edu QuickStart Guide
- LINK to order and learn about the CoDrone EDU
- LINK to get started with programming CoDrone EDU
Vol. 1 (6.13.2023)
Welcome to a New Season
Welcome back to the REC Foundation Aerial Drone Competition for the 2023-2024 competition season. We are excited to help you plan an amazing season!
End of Season 2022-2023
Thank you for all you did to create opportunities for students to compete during the 2022-2023 Aerial Drone Competition season! Our programs are not possible without our amazing coaches/mentors and event partners. Thousands of students from around the country learned flying, coding and communication skills at events around the country. You are making an impact! Thank you!
Aerial Drone Competition Championships 2023
Our 4 Aerial Drone Regional Championships were a HUGE Success! Check out the winners on the awards pages.
Perseverance in Sugar Land, Texas
Opportunity in Jackson, Mississippi
Ingenuity in Flint, Michigan
Dragonfly in Fairmont, West Virginia
Application to Host Regional Championship 2024
If you are interested in hosting one of our 2024 Regional Championship Events, please review the Requirements to Host a REGIONAL Championship Event and complete this APPLICATION by July 14th to be considered. We plan to announce the locations of the Championships on August 1st.
New for 2023-2024 Season
We appreciate all the feedback we have received throughout the season and will be implementing the following changes for the 2023-2024 season.
4 Missions
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Piloting Teamwork Mission
- 2 Drone Teamwork Challenge - Designed for two teams to work together and highlight precision flying skills, communication and decision making.
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Autonomous Flight Skills Mission
- Dedicated Autonomous Flight Layout - Designed to encourage use of sensors of the CoDrone EDU and increase programming success. Specially designed mats (part of game element kit) will be placed on sections of the floor to aid in set up and improved sensor readings.
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Piloting Skills Mission - NEW
- One Drone - One team - pilot your drone through an obstacle course to demonstrate your piloting skills.
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Communications Mission
- Teams interview with Judges about their Drone, Programming, and Competition Logbook. Updated Rubrics - More focus on drone flight, drone programming, flight safety and communication.
2 Field Layouts
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Piloting Teamwork Mission Competition Field
- Designed for 2 drone teams to work together and highlight precision flying skills, communication and decision making.
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Field will be a 20’ x 20’ field and need the following elements
- 1 Red Arch Gate
- 1 Blue Arch Gate
- 1 Blackout Screen
- 1 Yellow Keyhole Gate
- 1 Green Keyhole Gate
- 1 Red Landing Pad
- 1 Blue Landing Pad
- 1 Small Red Box
- 1 Small Blue Box
- Game Elements (to be released September)
- PVC Perimeter (measurements announced September)
- Easier set up - PVC only required on Teamwork Challenge fields
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Autonomous Flight and Piloting Skills Competition Field
- Designed to use sensors of the CoDrone EDU and increase programming success. Specially designed mats will be placed on sections of the floor to aid in set up and improved sensor readings.
- Field size TBD and will need the following elements
- 2 Red Arch Gates
- 1 Blue Arch Gate
- 1 Yellow Keyhole Gate
- 1 Green Keyhole Gate
- 1 Large Red Box
- 1 Large Blue Box
- Game Elements (to be released September)
- NO PVC perimeter required
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Please Note:
- If you have purchased a competition field in a previous season, you should have enough field elements and PVC to set up both competition field layouts without needing to purchase additional field elements.
- You will need to purchase a Game Element kit, which will include the pieces needed to set up both competition field layouts.
Pre-order Game Elements
- We are now accepting pre-orders for the 2023-2024 game elements. These will be shipped in September.
Virtual Coaches/Event Partners Summit for Aerial Drone Competition
- This event will cover the topics you want to hear about! Details coming soon.
- Save the dates July 18th - 19th.
- Register now.
Season Timeline
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Season Opens for Team Registration:
- Registration is open - register your teams now for the 2023-2024 season
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Competition Reveal:
- Competition Video, Manual and Rules will be released early September. Date TBD
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Qualifying Events:
- Events can occur between October 1st and March 17th. Reserve your date to host an event by completing the Interest Survey to Host a Qualifying Event TODAY. Deadline to have an event approved by the REC Foundation is October 15th.
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District Championships:
- New this season - if you would like to host a championship event in your state or local region, please reach out to us at drones@recf.org. These will occur in March and April of 2024.
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Regional Championship Event:
- Last season’s championships were a huge success and we are planning on doing this again for the 2023-2024 season. If you are interested in hosting a large multi-state Regional Championship, please fill out this APPLICATION by July 14th. We plan to announce the location of Regional Championships by August 1st.
Community Project
From time to time we need the help of our community! We are often asked, how do you put the keyhole gate together, or how do you use these guidewires, etc. We are looking for someone to create a short video to explain this to our community. Interested? Reach out to nadine_amaya@recf.org for more information.
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Competition Field Element Video
- Create a short video (under 3 minutes) showing the competitions field elements and how they are set up and can be adjusted. The video should include arch gates, keyhole gates, blackout screen, landing pads, and boxes. See this video for an example.
- These videos may be shared with coaches and event partners in our community and will be an opportunity to showcase your team’s community spirit.
- Videos are due by August 1st. Email your entries to nadine_amaya@recf.org.
Team Registration Scholarships Available
- Our friends at Tennessee Valley Robotics are offering a limited number of Team Registration Scholarships to teams in the greater Tennessee Area. If you are located in the area shown on the map below fill out this survey and our team will review to see if you qualify.
Coffee Chat Hours
- Have questions? Join us during one of our coffee chats! Grab your favorite beverage and join us on Google Meet. Wednesday, June 21st at 1pm CST OR Thursday, June 22nd at 7pm CST
Thank you
- Our Aerial Drone Competition Support team is always available to answer your questions. Feel free to reach out to us anytime. You can find our contact information at the top of this Resource.