RECF Drone Competition Summit for Coaches and Event Partners

March 19, 2026 Update: If you’re interested in attending, please complete this form to join the waitlist. Additional invitations will be sent out as spots become available.

2026 RECF Drone Competition Summit

The 2026 Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) Drone Competition Summit will take place on July 12th-13th, 2026, with a check-in reception on July 11th at the Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

Note: This Summit is for RECF Drone Competitions and in in a different building than the RECF Summit for RECF Robotics Programs.

This Summit will feature general sessions and separate breakout sessions for Coaches and Event Partners, with a range of training and discussion topics. This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and engage in meaningful conversations. Plus, attendees can earn Professional Development credit for participating.

• Specialized sessions tailored for both coaches and event partners
• Engaging discussions on best practices and future innovations
• A chance to connect, learn, and grow within the Aerial Drone Competition community
• No registration fee, just cover your travel and lodging!

Important Notes:

• Attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. A reserved hotel room block is available at the Drury Hotel Hotel St. Louis at the Arch. Attendees can use our designated hotel block to take advantage of convenient accommodations and discounted rates. 
  • Please make your reservations by Wednesday, May 27, 2026 to receive the block rate. Reservations made after this date will be subject to prevailing rates and availability.
• Attendees that stay at the Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch will enjoy a complimentary breakfast and the hotel’s “Kickback”, which includes free hot food, cold beverages, beer, wine and mixed drinks from 5:30-7:00pm. The complimentary Kickback will be available for a small fee to attendees that opt to stay at a different location, but they will still be included in the lunches and dinner.
• Lunch will be provided on both July 12 and 13, along with dinner on July 12. On the evening of July 13, dinner will not be provided, giving attendees the opportunity to explore St. Louis and enjoy the local dining scene individually or in groups.

Interested in Joining us? Let us know by Saturday March 7th

• Capacity is limited to 60 attendees and interest surveys are due by Saturday March 7th. 
• Those selected to attend will be notified by April 1st. 
• We will make a concerted effort to have representation from as many different event regions as possible. Because of that, the number of attendees selected from each event region may be limited.
• Complete this Interest form.

Questions? Reach out to Louann Cormier @louann_cormier@recf.org

Agenda for RECF Drone Competition Summit

(The Agenda is for Central Daylight Time and will be finalized closer to the event.)

Day 1 - July 11, 2026

Day 2 - July 12, 2026

Day 3 - July 13, 2026

General Session Topics for RECF Drone Competition Summit

Engage in lively discussions on topics that impact everyone in our community. These sessions are designed to keep you informed, inspired, and connected as we head into the new season. 

These sessions are a great opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and gain valuable insights no matter your role.

Breakout Session Topics for RECF Drone Competition Summit

We will offer sessions tailored specifically for Coaches, Event Partners, and some that are relevant to all attendees. No matter your role, you're welcome to join any session that interests you. Most sessions will be offered multiple times, giving you the flexibility to attend as many as you'd like.

We especially encourage Coaches considering hosting events to attend Event Partner sessions for valuable insights, and Event Partners to join Coach sessions to better support team development in their regions.

Please note: Topics are subject to change and will be finalized as the event approaches.

Breakout Session Descriptions

Behind the Curtain: Judging, Logbooks, and Preparing Teams for Success 

What does a strong judging experience look like from the other side of the table? Step behind the curtain to explore what judges look for in successful teams, how scoring rubrics are used, and ways coaches can support students throughout the season in preparing for interviews and evaluations.
This session will also highlight how the Competition Logbook can become more than just a requirement. Learn strategies to help students use the logbook to strengthen communication and collaboration skills, organize and reflect on their work, and effectively document their team’s progress and achievements.
Judging preparation and the Competition Logbook are key tools in helping students communicate their thinking, showcase their learning, and demonstrate growth throughout the season.

ADC Pro: Getting Your ADC Pro Program Off the Ground: Lessons Learned from Building a Team

This breakout session will share practical insights and real-world lessons learned from launching and developing an ADC Pro drone program. Attendees will gain an understanding of key startup considerations, including program planning, equipment selection, training, operational procedures, stakeholder engagement, and overcoming common challenges. Whether you are building a new team or expanding an existing capability, this session will provide actionable strategies and best practices to help accelerate your program's success.

Event Partner Panel: Best Practices for Event Day Success 

A collaborative session for event partners focused on sharing strategies, experiences, and practical tips for delivering a successful event day. Explore what makes events run smoothly on site, from team flow and volunteer coordination to judging support and troubleshooting common day-of challenges. Learn what works, what to avoid, and how experienced event partners manage the pace and energy of competition day.

ADC Pro: Hosting and Logistics 

What does it take to host an ADC Pro event? This session will outline key requirements for event partners, including planning considerations, staffing, equipment, and site needs. Explore what is needed to successfully launch and run an ADC Pro event and how it builds on existing Aerial Drone Competition event structures.
Learn practical steps for preparing your site, supporting teams, and ensuring a smooth event experience from setup through competition day.

Coach Corner: Best Practices for Success 

Whether you are new to the Aerial Drone Competition or a returning coach, join this interactive session focused on proven strategies for building successful teams, navigating the competition season, and making the most of available time and resources.
Explore practical approaches to structuring team practices, supporting student learning, and managing common challenges throughout the season. This session will also provide space to share ideas and learn from other coaches to strengthen program success year after year.

New Coach Tips and Tricks

Starting a new team can feel overwhelming, but a little organization goes a long way. This session will share simple tips for managing team materials, keeping equipment organized, and planning practices that run smoothly and make the most of your time with students. Veteran coaches are also welcome to come and share their best practices as we all learn from each other! 

From Classroom to Competition: Removing Barriers and Building On-Ramps to Drone Teams

This session will focus on instructional and programmatic strategies that lower barriers to entry for students, especially girls and other underrepresented learners, in drone and robotics programs. Drawing on my experience as a Robolink Ambassador, RECF coach, event partner, and DoD STEM Ambassador, I will share specific “teacher moves” and curriculum design choices that build confidence, normalize productive struggle, and connect drone technology to real-world careers. Participants will explore how classroom-based drone instruction can serve as an on-ramp to competition teams, rather than a gatekeeping mechanism. The session will include concrete examples, discussion of common challenges, and take-away strategies that educators and coaches can immediately apply in their own contexts.

CoDrone EDU for Coaches: Hands-On Flight, FAQs, and 26-27 Updates

This session is for all coaches, both new and returning, who want to learn more about Robolink, CoDrone EDU, competition preparation, and available educator resources. We will cover exciting updates for the 26-27 season, frequently asked questions, best practices, troubleshooting strategies, and important competition updates. This session will also include a hands-on component where attendees will demo our new drone, CoDrone EDU Plus, fly the CoDrone EDU using a TI calculator, and explore how to build adaptable code that can withstand changes between classroom setups and official competition fields.

Robolink: Sensor-powered Missions with Blockly and Python 

Get ready to code! In this hands-on session, coaches and educators of all experience levels will explore all 7 sensors on CoDrone EDU. You will gain a deeper understanding of how each sensor works, how to apply sensor-based programming in autonomous flight missions, and how to support students through troubleshooting and debugging challenges. You can participate in this session using Blockly or Python.
 

Robolink: CoDrone EDU Boot Camp: Diagnosing your Drone 

Already read the help articles and watched the videos, but your drone still is not working? This hands-on session takes a practical deep dive into CoDrone EDU maintenance, common hardware issues, and repairs that coaches or students can take care of themselves. Participants will learn what to look for when diagnosing drone issues, how to complete effective pre-flight inspections, and best practices for maintaining drones throughout the season and during competitions. Coaches will be able to apply their new knowledge in an activity of diagnosing drones, identifying possible causes, and suggesting repairs and next steps. Note: This is not a programming session.
 

MINDS-i: Getting Started with MINDS-i Drones and Robots