Aerospace Robotics Competition

overview

Get ready for the Aerospace Robotics Competition with IvyMax’s industry-aligned prep course. This program is designed for motivated students in grades 6–12 who are interested in drone programming, autonomous flight, and collaborative engineering challenges.

Students will gain real-world experience in aerial robotics by working through hands-on training in drone control systems, mission strategy, and multi-drone collaboration—all aligned with the competition framework.

Exam Dates:

August – October

Grades:

Grades 6–12

MISSIONS：

4 Competitive Missions

Team Members

3-5

Aerospace Robotics ｜drone competition for high school students | Robotics Competition for high schoolers | STEM focused competition | IvyMax | Robotics Competition Prep

What is the Aerospace Robotics Competition?

The Aerospace Robotics Competition (ARC) is a team-based drone engineering challenge for middle and high school students. Participants design, code, and operate autonomous drones to complete simulated real-world missions—such as search and rescue, precision delivery, and obstacle navigation. ARC emphasizes collaboration, systems thinking, and applied engineering, offering students a platform to demonstrate their skills in flight control, sensor integration, and mission strategy. Teams are evaluated by a panel of STEM professionals from the aerospace, robotics, and computer science industries.

Competition Rules

To succeed in the Aerospace Robotics Competition (ARC), teams must go beyond basic drone operation and demonstrate mastery of autonomous flight systems, real-time decision-making, and mission execution under pressure. The qualification and scoring system typically emphasizes the following:

  • Mission-Based Scoring: Teams earn points by completing a series of technical tasks (e.g., object detection, precision landing, coordinated multi-drone flight) within a timed window.

  • Autonomy First: Manual control is penalized—fully autonomous drones with onboard logic score higher.

  • Technical Documentation: Teams must submit an engineering report detailing drone specs, coding logic, and problem-solving approach.

  • Field Test Qualification: Before the main event, teams must pass a controlled mission simulation or flight demo to prove system reliability.

  • Innovation & Teamwork Bonus: Judges may award bonus points for design creativity, code optimization, and effective intra-team collaboration.

Winning teams are those who pair reliable execution with smart design and clear technical communication. IvyMax’s ARC prep program trains students to align with these success factors from day one.

Eligibility Criteria

While specific eligibility may vary depending on the competition organizer, this course generally supports:

Students should meet the following criteria:

  • Grade Level: 6th to 12th grade (middle and high school)

  • Interest: Passion for robotics, programming, aerospace, or engineering

  • Teamwork: Willingness to collaborate in team-based challenges

  • Experience Level: Open to both beginners and advanced students (track-based instruction)

  • Availability: Able to participate in mock missions and training sessions outside of class

This course helps students build the qualifications and skill set needed to succeed in aerial robotics competitions and stand out in STEM-focused academic portfolios.

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