Empowering Youth Drone Pilots at UAS4STEM
For many, building a drone from the ground up in your teenage years may seem impossible, but not for the amazing students competing in the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) phenomenal education program, UAS4STEM. UAS4STEM is a national competition where student teams are issued a mission-based challenge to be completed using a drone/UAS. Students learn to design, build, and program a UAS and operate it safely and effectively as a team.
During the process, students complete a virtual ground school to learn safety, weather, airspace, and operations of UAS. For the 2023 competition, in addition to a waypoint mission and simulated missing person search, advanced teams must use their UAS to locate equipment such as marshmallows, medical kits, and water bottles. Once located, the drone must pick up and deliver the materials to object-specific target locations. Bonus points are awarded for autonomy (something Skydio is very excited about).
Images courtesy of UAS4STEM photographer Lee Ray
Teams that qualify at their regional level advance to the national finals held at EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin at the end of July. At Airventure, teams compete over the course of multiple days. The first day of the competition requires students to present an overview of their UAS, its capabilities, testing, project development, and research to a series of judges from across the aviation industry and Skydio. Students are then tested on their flight ground school knowledge.
Images courtesy of UAS4STEM photographer Lee Ray
In subsequent days of the competition, teams must complete the flight components of the challenge: locating targets, collecting them, and bringing them to their appropriate drop-off locations. Teams are allowed a short period to test their drone on the course before initiating the timed challenge. Skydio loved that just about every team created a different method to pick up the equipment, from a bucket scooper and claw to a tension grip and using fly traps.
While not every team was successful in relocating all the targets, every single student came together with a positive attitude, and exemplary teamwork supported each other mentally, and solved problems on the spot to work through technical complications. The soft skills developed by students and put to use over the entire process are something they (and their parents) should be immensely proud of. The top three teams each received a Skydio 2+ Pro Kit to take home.
Images courtesy of UAS4STEM photographer Lee Ray
Learning through hands-on experience leads to enhanced career readiness and an increased likelihood of pursuing STEM and aviation careers. Providing access to speaking with industry professionals and technology is vital for students to learn necessary skills and about career opportunities. Skydio is incredibly excited to join UAS4STEM for the 2023 year and support inspiring the next generation of pilots, engineers, and creators.
If you or someone you know is interested in competing in UAS4STEM, registration is open till March 1, 2023. To start the registration process, you will need to fill out a brief registration form. After your payment is processed, you will receive the official rule book, component spec list for your team's sUAS, and roster form for AMA memberships and ground school credentials. For any questions regarding the competition or registration, please email education@modelaircraft.org.
Happy flying and we hope to see you at Oshkosh later this year!
