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High-Flying Impact: Gaming Meets STEM Education through Aerial Drone Competition Partnership 

May 28, 2025
Participant pilots a drone

For many students, the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation’s (RECF) Aerial Drone Competition is a natural extension of esports and video gaming by turning a familiar, exciting experience into a fun path of learning and growth. That powerful intersection reaches new heights in partnership with Robolink and their versatile and programmable CoDrone EDU, a drone designed for classrooms and used in over 7,000 US schools today. This hands-on program brings the thrill of virtual gaming into the real world, where students fly drones while building critical STEM skills.

Video gaming enthusiasts are drawn to the Aerial Drone Competition, where their finely tuned abilities in critical thinking, communication, and split-second decision-making prove invaluable for piloting drones and excelling in team-based competitions. This is one reason why this program is such a powerful bridge between gaming and STEM education.

Aerial Drone Competition team poses with their drone

Competitions aren’t just earning points for students; they are gaining exposure to real-world career paths with great interest. From 1,795 students in its inaugural 2020 season to more than 10,800 this season, the Aerial Drone Competition has experienced significant growth in just five years. This growth coincides with drone technology’s fast-growing field of applications in many sectors, such as agriculture, filmmaking, global supply chains and logistics, and emergency response. Through this competition, students build foundational skills that are relevant, in-demand, and full of career possibilities. 

Aerial Drone Competition team competes at an event

The Aerial Drone Competition is a powerful launchpad for gaining quality hands-on STEM learning experiences. By collaborating with partners such as Robolink, the program is helping students reach new heights – literally and figuratively.

To learn more about getting involved in the Aerial Drone Competition, click here and explore Robolink’s CoDrone EDU to see the drone in action.

Drone lands on a game element

2025-2026 Signature Event Updates

  1. An Event Partner wanting to apply to host a Signature Event must have hosted events for at least 2 seasons prior to applying. 
  2. Signature Events must use the officially branded award banners for the Excellence Award and Tournament/Teamwork Champions Award.
  3. When hanging field skirts the VEX Robotics logo/brand name can not be covered up on the competition fields.
  4. VEX V5 Robotics Competition Signature Events may have regional capacity and max per organization restrictions lifted 8 weeks before the event if the event is not full (similar to the process already in place for VEX IQ Robotics Competition Signature Events).
  5. Minimum pit size reduced to 8’x 8’ instead of 10’x10’.
  6. Beginning in the 2025-2026 season, the REC Foundation will collect $10 instead of $5 per team registration on all Signature Events. This is to help offset travel costs for REC Foundation staff to support these larger events.

2025-2026 Signature Event Application Reminders

  1. Existing Signature Events only need to complete the Final Application (due by March 31, 2025)
  2. New Signature Event concepts will need to complete the Initial Proposal by January 31, 2025 and if approved, complete the Final Application by March 31, 2025.
Crowd watches the Signature Event in Minnesota's Mall of America
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