Aerial Drone Competition

Mission 2025: Gravity

Mission 2025: Gravity is taking flight. This season, we're challenging you to master the forces of gravity as you navigate your drone through exciting teamwork, piloting, and autonomous flight missions.

Mission 2025 Video

Student-Centered Learning

The REC Foundation’s Aerial Drone Competition provides a unique hands-on learning experience, fostering crucial STEM skills including drone piloting, programming, and problem-solving. 

The competition environment mirrors the real world, requiring teamwork, critical thinking, and innovation to navigate mission challenges. Students learn to collaborate effectively, hone their communication skills, and build the resilience needed to tackle future challenges. This fosters a deep understanding of flight principles, documentation, and interpersonal skills, all while igniting a passion for drone-related careers. 

Register a Team

Resources

Find resources for starting a team, becoming a coach, where to find competition equipment and every thing else you need to know for the Aerial Drone Competition season!
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Four Missions

Teamwork Mission

Drones are piloted by students. Two teams fly together on the same competition field to maximize their score. 

Autonomous Flight Mission

Drone is programmed by students to operate entirely autonomously. Each team competes alone to score as many points as possible.

Piloting Mission

Drone is piloted by students to fly through an obstacle course. Each team competes alone to score as many points as possible.

Communications Mission

Teams interview with Judges about their Drone, Programming and Competition Logbook Documentation

Season Timeline

April 2024
Mission 2025 Season Opens for Team Registration
September 10, 2024
Mission 2025 Competition Rules Released
October 2024 - March 2025
Local Qualifying Events
December 13, 2024
Deadline for Team Registration
April 2025 - June 2025
Regional Championships

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Field Assembly

Click here to view more RAD Competition videos.

See Our Program in Action

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Partners

We proudly recognize the following organizations for their partnership and appreciate their continued support of our global mission to provide educators with hands-on, student-led competition programs and educational resources to prepare future innovators for a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.
Sponsors
Partners
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