RECF Competition Programs
RECF offers a range of robotics and drone programs designed to engage students at every stage of their STEM journey. Through hands-on learning and competition, students build engineering skills while developing teamwork, innovation, communication, and workforce-ready abilities.
Aerial Drone Competition (ADC)
The Aerial Drone Competition (ADC) introduces students to creativity, teamwork, innovation, and flight technology through an engaging, hands-on STEM experience. Students develop skills in drone piloting, programming, problem-solving, and communication while participating in mission-based challenges.
The program places students at the center of learning, encouraging them to take ownership of their ideas, collaborate with teammates, and apply critical thinking to real-world scenarios. Through ADC, students gain experience in flight principles, coding, documentation, and teamwork while building confidence, resilience, and interest in drone-related careers.
- Teams of 2 or more students
- Recommended for grades 5-12 (U12 / elementary school, U15 / middle school, or U19 / high school)
- Drones used include CoDrone EDU, CoDrone EDU JROTC, and Parrot Mambo
- No building required
- Focus on piloting, programming, mission strategy, and communication
Learn more about the Aerial Drone Competition.
Aerial Drone Competition Pro (ADC Pro)
The Aerial Drone Competition Pro (ADC Pro) challenges students to explore advanced STEM concepts through the design, piloting, programming, and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and unmanned ground vehicles (robots). In a competitive, hands-on environment, students develop creativity, teamwork, innovation, and technical skills while solving complex mission-based challenges.
ADC Pro places students at the center of the learning experience, encouraging them to take ownership of their ideas, collaborate effectively with teammates, and apply critical thinking to real-world engineering problems. Through competition, students gain valuable experience in flight principles, engineering design, computer science, documentation, communication, and problem-solving while building confidence, resilience, and interest in technology-driven careers.
- Teams of 3 or more students
- Recommended for grades 9 and above (U19 / high school or post-secondary)
- Utilizes both drones and ground robots
- Focus on design, piloting, programming, and mission strategy
- Emphasizes engineering design, documentation, teamwork, and communication
- Competitive, mission-based challenges designed to promote innovation, strategic thinking, and collaboration
Learn more about ADC Pro.
RECF Engage Robotics Competition (RECF Engage)
In RECF Engage, students will explore creativity, teamwork, innovation, and engineering in a fun environment designed to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and leaders.
Through hands-on learning, documentation, and competition, the program builds excitement for STEM. Students are at the center of everything we do and are encouraged to take ownership of their ideas, collaborate with teammates, and solve real-world challenges.
- Teams of 2 or more students
- Robots built of specific VEX IQ®, Hexbug®, and LEGO® electronics and components
- Options for cut and 3D printed custom parts
- Recommended for grades 3-8 (U12 / elementary school or U15 / middle school)
Learn more about the RECF Engage Robotics Competition.
RECF Achieve Robotics Competition (RECF Achieve)
RECF Achieve provides broad robotics access for students at all experience levels. The program encourages student resourcefulness and outside-the-box thinking with multiple robotics system options and flexible design opportunities, including the use of custom plastic and 3D printing.
- Teams of 1 or more students
- Robots built using VEX V5®, Robits® by AndyMark, and Pitsco Education TETRIX® MAX components
- All robots use VEX V5® electronics
- Wide range of off-the-shelf pneumatic components
- Options for cut and 3D-printed custom parts
- Recommended for grades 6-12 (U15 / middle school or U19 / high school)
Learn more about the RECF Achieve Robotics Competition.
RECF Inspire Robotics Competition (RECF Inspire)
RECF Inspire provides broad robotics access for post-secondary students, encouraging student resourcefulness and outside-the-box thinking through an open system for robot structure. Teams may utilize several major robotics systems along with unlimited custom plastic, unlimited 3D printing, custom-designed parts, and basic off-the-shelf consumer parts.
An RECF Inspire alliance consists of two robots and two drive teams from the same registered team. Each match may include both robots and their corresponding drive teams working collaboratively within the alliance format.
- Matriculated students currently enrolled in post-secondary education
- Alliance format consists of two robots and two drive teams from the same registered team
- Open system supporting multiple major robotics platforms
- Unlimited custom plastic fabrication and 3D printing
- Use of custom-designed and off-the-shelf consumer parts
Learn more about the RECF Inspire Robotics Competition.
Student Eligibility by Date of Birth
Most RECF competitions limit student eligibility based on age. The annual game manuals define the age ranges for each student classification, where applicable. See the definition of "student" in the following game manuals for details.
Drone Competitions:
- ADC Game Manual (coming August 11, 2026)
- ADC Pro Game Manual
Robotics Competitions: