Welcome!
Congratulations, and thank you for your interest in the RECF drone and robotics competitions! As the world grows increasingly complex the need for individuals equipped with the knowledge and skills to tackle tough problems by gathering information, evaluating it, and presenting effective solutions continues to increase. Still, relatively few students are proficient in the core subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and even fewer express interest in pursuing these fields beyond high school. Increasingly, educators and students seek hands-on, sustainable, and cost-effective approaches to help engage young people and maintain their interest in STEM in elementary school, middle school, high school, and beyond. Your willingness to be a part of our community is the next step in solving the STEM problem!
The RECF Library exists to prepare you and team members for the RECF competition season, introduce you to the iterative/engineering design process, and help you prepare for your first event.
About the RECF
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educators with competition, educational, and workforce readiness programs that increase student engagement in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and computer science. Our competition programs include:
- Aerial Drone Competition - middle school & high school
- Aerial Drone Competition Pro - high school and college
- RECF Engage Robotics Competition - elementary school and middle school
- RECF Achieve Robotics Competition - middle school and high school
- RECF Inspire Robotics Competition - college
RECF student teams may be associated with public schools, private schools, after school groups, home school groups, scouting groups, 4-H groups, and other youth groups. The role of the RECF in these programs is to organize and support teams and events.
RECF competition teams are led by coaches from a wide range of backgrounds, and coaches don't need to have a formal STEM education background. Instead, coaches serve as mentors who guide students through a hands-on, student-centered learning and competition experience.
RECF team registration allows your teams to compete at local events, post scores on the global scoreboard, and work toward qualification for RECF championship events. Registered teams and their associated adult contacts also gain access to a wide range of resources designed to support and enhance their programs.
To support teams throughout the season, RECF provides Regional Support Managers (RSMs). These dedicated staff members work within assigned regions to assist coaches, schools, and programs, helping ensure a successful and well-supported competition experience.
Additional Information
As you read through our articles, you may notice that there is more to coaching an RECF competition team than building, operating, programming, and competing with drones or robots at an event. The RECF has created a full experience for you and your team that includes free professional development, a supportive robotics community, STEM-related online challenges, and a life-changing experience for your students. If you've made it this far, continue exploring the RECF Library for more tools and information. Contact your RSM if you want to get more involved!
Note: Should anything in our online resources contradict the Game Manuals or Qualifying Criteria Documents, those documents will take precedence. All of these official documents are explained further in our articles.
Inclusion Initiatives
RECF is committed to engaging every student, especially those in underserved populations, in the pursuit of STEM education and careers to prepare them for the challenges and demands of the future workforce. As part of this commitment, special initiatives of the RECF are designed specifically to impact these underrepresented populations.
Sponsors
RECF is grateful for the generous support of our sponsors who partner year-round to provide team grants and support local tournaments, state championships, and the RECF STEM World Championship. We value their commitment to advancing student interest and engagement in STEM.
Visit this page on our website to view a current list of sponsors.