Academy of Model Aeronautics Issues UAV STEM Challenge

After the successful completion of the UAS4STEM with high school students, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) brings yet another excellent opportunity for college students. The AMA has announced the UAS4STEM Drone Challenge. The competition will allow participants to showcase their knowhow of UAS in mission planning, flight skills, data collection, analysis, and safety practices.

The competition requires the participants to create an accurate 3D model of the AMA Headquarters. The underlying tech support will be provided by DJI and Pix4D. The competing participants will use Pix4D mapping software and professional orthomosaic imaging. The PIX4D software is the ideal technical support tool for the students to work with. Not only does the Pix4Dmapper converts images into highly precise, georeferenced 2D maps and 3D models but the images can also be customized and be compatible with a wide range of applications and software.

“Following the success of UAS4STEM with high school students across the country, it only made sense to add a collegiate challenge,” said director of education for the AMA, Bill Pritchett. “Our new partnership with UAA will provide college students with opportunities to simulate real life uses for UAS. We look forward to sharing AMA’s many years of experience and UAS knowledge with young people, all at a reasonable cost allowing for greater participation.”

The national competition is scheduled for April 21st, 2018 at the AMA Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. The registration fees will include temporary PIX4D licenses for each student, the online curriculum, UMASC membership for teams, and competition entry fees. The requisites for all participating teams include completion an online curriculum so that all students understand and learn about multirotor safety and operation in the National Airspace System (NAS). The knowledge required by the participants to pass the FAA’s Part 107 exam will be supplied by the online ground school. A 10% educational discount will also be provided to all the participants on DJI products.

“DJI is pleased to support the Collegiate Challenge and encourage students to learn about the incredible potential and exciting opportunities that drone technology has created for a new generation,” said Romeo Durscher, DJI Director of Education. “With more than 100,000 new jobs projected to be created by drone technology by 2025, the Collegiate Challenge is a way for the industry to jumpstart interest in making the most of drone technology, and for smart students to prepare for a career that will transform how technology can help business and society.”

The participants of this competition will benefit from the hands on experience they will gain about the critical knowledge related to drone deployment in this high-growth industry.