We have some very exciting news to share with you: registration for the 2024-2025 UAS4STEM Competition is now open!
If you’ve never heard of UAS4STEM before, no need to worry – this competition is one of our favorite things to talk about, so we’ll give you all the information you need!
UAS4STEM is designed for students to learn, practice, and demonstrate professional uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) knowledge, mission planning, flight skills, data collection, analysis, and safety practices in a competitive team-oriented environment.
This awesome competition allows youth participants to develop professional skills such as – but not limited to – public speaking, teamwork, time management, and troubleshooting. Competitors and team managers alike are also able to meet other people with similar interests.
UAS4STEM teams must consist of anywhere between four to ten student team members from ages 11 to 19. Each team must have an adult team manager. Each team may also have an adult assistant manager as well, although this is optional.
There are two classes in the UAS4STEM sponsored by Skydio: Beginner and Advanced. The Beginner Class was created to reduce the barriers of entry into the competition. The competition tends to get more complicated each year as returning teams are challenged in new ways and having this Beginner Class allows more focus on teaching the fundamental skills of drone programming and flying.
The competition season begins as soon as your team receives the rulebook and online sUAS Ground School log-in credentials for the competition. Ground School is a required component of the competition; each competitor must complete all lessons and assessments in the course.
All teams compete in the virtual preliminary competition. Teams must provide a proof-of-flight video submission, a virtual Flight Readiness Review (FRR) presentation, a 15-minute mission-planning software assessment, and a video for new UAS4STEM teams.
Following the virtual preliminaries, top-scoring teams are invited to the National Competition at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI.
This is a highlight not only for the students and mentors, but for the staff and judges who work with the teams as they deliver their Flight Readiness Reviews and conduct flight operations during the worlds largest celebration of flight. EAA consistently rolls out the red carpet for this competition; providing participants with admission and lodging for the International Competition.
Teams are also given the opportunity to explore AirVenture and ensures teams receive special access by featuring the teams front and center in front of the Air Show prior to the show beginning where they are recognized for their competition accomplishments. Top-scoring teams at the National Competition at AirVenture have the chance to win trophies, award money, and other prizes!
UAS4STEM Sponsored by Skydio is an awesome competition. But don’t take our word for it – you can hear about the competition directly from the competitors! Teams* were tasked with creating and filming videos about UAS4STEM as part of their final scores in both the preliminary and national competitions.
*Although only 4 teams and videos are highlighted in this blog, all teams are required to submit a video for the competition.
You can register for the 2024-2025 UAS4STEM Competition season here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Education Team at education@modelaircraft.org. We hope to hear from you (or see your registration form) soon!