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Aerial Drone Competition (Introductory Level) (REC Foundation)

Provided By
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Aerial Drone Competition signs with a drone hovering in the center

The Aerial Drone Competition (Introductory Level) provides middle and high school students with a unique, hands-on learning experience to develop precision drone-flying skills. It seeks to foster communication, collaboration, and the ability to solve challenges with confidence while learning STEM skills.

Logic Model

Program Activities

Students

  • Learn how to fly and program drones to accomplish tasks on a field​ 
  • Learn to communicate and work with others​ 
  • Learn about industries and careers involving drones

Program Near-Term Outcomes

Students

  • Gain knowledge of drone science 
  • Learn to work as a member of a team 
  • Increase awareness of STEM careers that use drone technology

DSEC Near-Term Outcomes

Students

  • Increased student engagement and interest in STEM (formal and informal)​ 
  • Increased participant STEM competencies (skills, knowledge, abilities, and confidence)​ 
  • Increased participant awareness of, and interest in STEM research and careers​
Participant Perspectives

Participant perspectives reflect survey responses from 2025-2026, the first year of survey administration.

Of 1290 student participants, 162 responded to the survey.

Students

Grades 6-16

  • Disagree
  • Slightly Agree
  • Moderately Agree
  • Strongly Agree
The Aerial Drone Competition increased my ability to fly a drone to accomplish a task on a field. 
n = 162 valid responses
The Aerial Drone Competition increased my ability to program a drone to accomplish a task on a field.
n = 162 valid responses
The Aerial Drone Competition increased my ability to work with others to program and fly a drone. 
n = 162 valid responses
The Aerial Drone Competition increased my ability to interact with other teams to develop and implement game strategies.
n = 162 valid responses
The Aerial Drone Competition increased my knowledge of careers involving drones.
n = 162 valid responses
Program Data

Program data includes participants from both years of Base Period (2024-2025 and 2025-2026). 

Students

2,520 total student participants

Student Grade Level

Military-Connected Students

Educators

168 total educator participants

Educator Type

Category Count %
District Administrator or Staff 3 1.8%
School Administrator 1 0.6%
Teacher 82 48.8%
No position listed 82 48.8%

Educator Grade Levels

Military-Connected Educators

Other programs from Partner
Aerial Drone Competition Pro (REC Foundation)