2021
UAS4STEM
CHALLENGE

Get news and updates on this years challenge!

What is UAS4STEM?

UAS4STEM is a team-orientated, competitive program for middle and high school students to build their own drone, learn about aviation and practice STEM-related skills. UAS4STEM is designed for students to learn, practice, and demonstrate professional unmanned aircraft system (UAS) knowledge, mission planning, flight skills, data collection, analysis, and safety practices in a competitive environment. 

Scroll down for some basic FAQs.

What do drones have to do with STEM education and STEM-related careers? 

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which includes both drones and model aircraft,  play an integral role in helping educate youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM),  and pursuing future careers in STEM-related fields. The UAS4STEM competition provide young people with opportunities to simulate real life uses for drones in a fun, educative, and competitive setting. 

Many famous aviators, including astronauts Neil Armstrong  and aerospace pioneer Burt Rutan, point to model aviation as the gateway to their interest in aviation and subsequent careers. 

All fees are included in the cost of UAS4STEM kit. Each UAS4STEM kit is $1995.00 and is limited to 10 people. This cost is fixed, so a team with 10 members would cost less per team member than a team with only 4 members. This includes entry fees for regional and national competitions. This does not include expenses or travel to and from a contest site. 

Schools and clubs are allowed to have more than one team, if needed to accommodate all the interested students.

NOTE: Due to COVID-19, the 2020 UAS4STEM program was canceled. Therefore, all 2020 teams will be automatically enrolled in the 2021 competition.

FAQs

What is included in the UAS4STEM kit? 

The UAS4STEM kit includes “everything in one box” that you need for the program. Each kit includes access to the UAS4STEM Online Ground School, online build series, Quadzilla quadcopter kit, Pixhawk AutoPilot w/GPS, RC System, onboard camera, handheld video monitor, video transmitter, RC Flight Simulator, 2 batteries, 1 charger. Teams will need to provide their own laptop to run the ground control station software.

How much does it cost to participate in the UAS4STEM competition? And, how big are the teams?

What ages are allowed to participate?  

The UAS4STEM competition is designed for ages 11-19, kids in middle and high school.

Yes! Fundraising is an essential part of each UAS4STEM team’s season. Each team will need extra funds for the competition for things like travel expenses and food. There are a lot of different ways your team can raise funds. We’ve put together a list of resources by state to help your team be successful fundraisers! Find this list, along with our fundraising toolkit, online here. 

Are there resources to help my team fundraise? 

Do you have to win a regional contest to participate in the nationals?

No. While all regional winners will be invited to compete in the national event, additional teams who participate in the regional level  may be invited for scoring exceptionally well. Also, if a winning team cannot participate in the national event, runner-up teams will then be invited.

Interested?

Sign up to learn how to get involved.

The location of regional competitions has not been determined yet. However, AMA has over 2,400 flying sites nationwide. Our goal is to provide a regional competition within a few hours drive for most teams. Teams near large population centers will most likely have a regional competition close by. Teams that may be a greater distance from a site may need to travel further. We plan to be very flexible in locations and can add additional regional locations as necessary to help accommodate additional teams. 

Where will the competitions be held?

When will the competitions be held?

UAS4STEM regional competitions will be scheduled after registration closes. Locations in warmer climates will have their competitions in March/April of 2021, while teams further north will have their regionals is April/May 2021. The national competition will take place on August 2021.

About the Academy of Model Aeronautics 

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), founded in 1936, serves as the nation’s collective voice for approximately 200,000 modelers in 2,400 clubs in the United States and Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, AMA is a membership organization representing those who fly model aircraft for recreation and educational purposes. For more information, visit www.modelaircraft.org

UAS4STEM  Program Info

Mission: Your team has been called upon to complete a waypoint and payload delivery mission using a small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS). In addition to building the sUAS, teams will also be tasked with the design and build of a delivery mechanism that can support the designated payload.

To support this mission, your UAS must comply with Special Instructions (SPINS) for departure and arrival procedures, and then remain within the assigned airspace. It will be tasked to search an area for items of interest and to conduct point reconnaissance. A UAS that can accurately deliver supplies and information where directed will be in high demand.

Ages: The youth UAS4STEM competition is designed for ages 11-19, kids in middle and high school.

Competitions: UAS4STEM regional competitions will take place in Spring 2021. The National competition date will be announced at a later time.

Cost: Each UAS4STEM kit is $1995.00 and is limited to a team of 4-10 people. This cost is fixed, so a team with 10 members would cost less per team member than a team with only 4 members. This includes entry fees for regional and national competitions. This does not include expenses or travel to and from a contest site.

Scholarships may be available in your area! Please email us at education@modelaircraft.org to learn more.

*All fees are included in the cost of UAS4STEM kit.