Students' drones whizzed through Rose-Hulman's Sports and Recreation Center on March 8, as the low whir of their engines filled the air during the REC Foundation's Aerial Drone Competition. Eleven teams of middle and high school students tested their drone coding and piloting abilities, working together to advance their skills. This was Rose-Hulman's first year serving as an event partner and host for the competition, which was sponsored through a grant provided by Duke Energy. 

"We always want to promote design thinking and problem solving, which are important skills for any engineer, mathematician, or scientist," said Rose-Hulman Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Rick Stamper, PhD.

Steering their drones through brightly colored banners, arches, and rings, teams competed in four challenges: teamwork, communication, piloting skills, and autonomous flight. The theme of this year's event was "Mission: Gravity." 

During the teamwork challenge, two teams collaborated to score as many points as possible by using their drone to guide beanbags and whiffle balls into designated scoring zones, maneuver through obstacles, and successfully land the drone. Drone pilots had an obstructed view of the competition field and had to rely on their teammates to navigate the course. 

"I haven't worked in a team like this before. I learned to communicate," said Brixy Sanchez, a junior at Ben Davis University High School in Indianapolis. "It gave another level to my coding classes." 

Teamwork and collaboration were common passions among the budding drone pilots. Ashton Smith and Carter Anderson, both ninth-grade students at South Vermillion, said that their favorite part of the event was being able to work with each other during the teamwork challenge and the preparations for it.

"I went into this thinking I could easily master the course by myself, but it's a lengthy process," Smith said. "You can't expect to be perfect." 

Teams of fifth-grade students from Riley and Benjamin Franklin Elementary Schools also competed in an exhibition showcase at the event. While the REC Foundation Aerial Drone Competition is not open to elementary school teams, the showcase gave the younger students the opportunity to start honing their skills and to pilot their drones on the competition course. 

"I learned calculations, teamwork, and communication," said Benjamin Franklin student Dylan Addis.

Addis's coach, Karen Harris, a special education teacher, has attended Rose-Hulman's Educational Outreach professional development workshops for educators to infuse new ideas into her classroom. 

"I want to get ideas for what we can do at school," she said. "I thought this event was something fun that would also be useful [for the students]." 

Her vision and goals were shared by Shakamak Jr./Sr. High School math teacher and drone coach Carol McDonald, who coached two middle school teams and a high school team during the event. McDonald was a computer programmer for 20 years before she became a teacher and enjoys introducing students to the field.

"It's fun to watch the kids be successful," she said. "That moment when it 'clicks' for them is really satisfying."

McDonald's students were indeed successful during the competition, with two of her teams earning the Teamwork Mission Champions title for their collaborative efforts during the teamwork challenge. The Taylor High School Titans from Kokomo, Indiana, were named the All-Around Champions, and Benjamin Franklin Elementary earned the top score during the elementary school showcase.

The two Shakamak teams and the Taylor Titans team will advance to the May 17-18 North Central Aerial Drone Competition Championship in Flint, Michigan.