Welcome! Thinking About Starting a UAS4STEM Team?
Whether you’re from a school, club, homeschool co-op, Civil Air Patrol squadron, or another organization—here’s an overview of what you need to know to decide if UAS4STEM is right for you. 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. Teams also receive access to SIMNET Ardupilot certification training. The mission challenge varies for Beginner and Advanced divisions.
- Beginner Division: Beginner division teams complete a UAS4STEM virtual ground school course to learn the basics of safe and legal drone operations. Beginner teams focus on learning to fly missions using ArduPilot Mission Planner software. The scored competition for the Beginner division is conducted virtually. New teams are encouraged to start in the Beginner division, but may opt for Intermediate division based on their experience.
- Intermediate and Advanced divisions: Complete a ground school course that prepares them to earn the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate. These teams conduct search missions and design and fabricate a mechanism for the drone to complete specific tasks. A virtual preliminary competition for these two divisions takes place in April, from which the top-scoring teams are invited to the championship competition at the world’s largest airshow, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at the end of July.
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: Registration is payable in two installments ($299.00 initial payment, with the balance due by March 10). Additional US teams registered under the same team manager receive a 50% discount on additional team(s). 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 external vendors. 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.
Intermediate and Advanced division 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 [Intermediate and Advanced divisions] or May [Beginner division] (last two weeks): Virtual 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 mostly live-presentation showcasing their team, flight procedures, mission plans, and accomplishments
- Share a team video
- Complete a timed Mission Planner software assessment
July (last week): Championship Competition at EAA AirVenture (Intermediate and Advanced divisions)
Top-performing teams from the Intermediate and Advanced divisions 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, teamwork, 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 prizes, trophies, and medals. All participants receive certificates. Students consistently report elevated confidence and readiness for STEM careers.
