Welcome! Thinking About Starting a UAS4STEM Team?
Here’s what you need to know to decide if UAS4STEM is right for you—whether you’re from a school, club, homeschool co-op, Civil Air Patrol squadron, or another organization. This is just an overview. For more details, please see the New Team Guide below.
What Is UAS4STEM?
UAS4STEM is a dynamic drone engineering competition brought to you by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). It offers students ages 11–19 a chance to design, build, program, and fly their own small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS). All teams must complete the virtual ground school and build a drone from components. The mission challenge varies for Beginner and Advanced divisions.
- Beginner Division: Focuses on foundational skills in programming for autonomous flight using ArduPilot Mission Planner software and basic mission tasks (such as conducting a search grid to locate points of interest).
- Advanced Division: Adds engineering complexity—teams must design and fabricate a mechanism for the drone to tackle a specialized mission challenge such as picking up and transporting a payload.
We strongly recommend that new teams select the beginner division.
Requirements
- Team Size: 4–10 student members (ages 11–19) plus at least one adult team manager; a second adult assistant manager is optional. All student competitors are required to complete the online sUAS ground school course prior to the virtual preliminary competition. (Access to the course is provided for team members after registration and team roster is processed.)
- Registration: Full-priced registration for one US-based team is $1,495.00, payable in two installments ($299.00 initial payment, with the balance of $1,196.00 due by March 31). Additional US teams registered under the same team manager receive a reduced rate of $747.50. Registration for each team outside the US is $1,695.00.
- Equipment: Drone components vary in cost by manufacturer when purchased individually (see complete specification list in the rulebook Appendix). A bundle of competition-compliant components is available for purchase from an external vendor for $1,799.00. Teams will need a laptop and access to basic hand tools, including a soldering iron.
- Travel costs: The preliminary competition is conducted virtually, with no travel required.
Teams advancing (by invitation) to the in-person championship are responsible for travel costs to AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI.
Admission and campsites for AirVenture are provided by our partner, the Experimental Aircraft Association, at no cost for teams and up to 5 accompanying adults.
Camping equipment (or alternative lodging arrangements), meals and other miscellaneous expenses are the responsibility of each individual team.
Competition Timeline & Structure
September 1- January: Get registered and get started!
Order Drone Components: After registering, order drone components as soon as possible. Sometimes there are shortages or shipping delays. It will also take time to build the drone, learn how to fly it, troubleshoot and make repairs. Technical Director Archie Stafford is happy to answer questions related to equipment.
Ground School: After submitting a roster, each team receives access to AMA’s mandatory online sUAS ground school. This covers flight principles, aviation safety, regulatory guidelines, airspace procedures, and prepares students to pursue a Part 107 drone operator license.
Learn how to fly: Students will need to practice flying the drone manually and learn how to use ArduPilot Mission Planner software to program the drone for autonomous flight.
April (last two weeks): Virtual Preliminary Competition
Teams must submit a proof-of-flight video and attend a virtual session with judges to:
- Deliver their Flight Readiness Review (FRR)—a professional presentation showcasing their team, flight procedures, mission plans, and accomplishments
- Share a team video which welcomes new teams and showcases their spirit
- Complete a timed Mission Planner software assessment
July (last week): Championship Competition at EAA AirVenture
Top-performing teams (usually six per division) are invited to compete in person at the world’s largest aviation event in Oshkosh, WI. Participants enjoy admission, lodging, special access (such as being featured before the Air Show), and compete for trophies, prizes, and scholarship awards.
Why UAS4STEM Might Be Right for You
Support Network: Every new team has access to structured resources—including the New Team Guide, monthly team manager meetings, direct AMA Education Team support and more.
Hands‑On STEM Learning: Dive into drone construction and maintenance, mission planning, coding, fabrication, and autonomous flight—plus build public-speaking, teamwork, and leadership skills. Check out the ways UAS4STEM aligns with Next Generation Science Standards!
Professional Development: Gain experience in safety, regulatory awareness, aviation communication, and operations planning.
Real‑World Recognition: Engage with industry professionals such as representatives from FAA, NASA, and the aviation industry during competitions. Winning teams receive prize checks. Participants consistently report elevated confidence and readiness for STEM careers.
