Starting an ADC Pro Team

Welcome

Coaching a competition robotics team is a rewarding experience. It may seem daunting at first, but the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation provides tools and resources to give you everything you need for success.

Our ADC Pro support team members will become your best friend as you experience our programs.  Reach out directly to us any time you have questions by emailing us at adcpro@recf.org.

Develop Your Team

There is no maximum number of students that can participate on a competition team. Students benefit most from a well-supported, hands-on learning experience, so identify the available resources and space when developing your team. If you have a lot of student interest, consider coordinating multiple teams. 

• ADC Pro Average Team Size: 3 - 8 students

Note: While there is no minimum number of students required for a team, it’s expected that teams consist of at least two students to pilot the drones and ground support vehicle. Teams with 3 - 8 students will have a competitive advantage to fully fill the multiple team roles, including Pilot(s), Driver(s), Mission Specialist(s), Coder(s), Builder(s), Designer(s), Notebook Documentor(s), and other support roles.

You may want to recruit volunteers to help your team learn and practice concepts like engineering design, programming, flight principles, 3D printing, documentation, and communication. Mentors help students increase their knowledge and skills, and are an important part of the learning process. Your team parents should be the first place to look, and they might be inspired to join you in support of the team. For more information about the amount of support that mentors can provide, please reference the RECF Student-Centered Policy. 

Competition Vehicles

*Note: Prices are estimates only and subject to change. Shipping charges are extra.

Teams may also want to budget additional competition vehicle funds for spare parts, 3D printing supplies, or additional sensors and mechanisms to customize their MINDS-i Competition Drone and Ground Support Vehicle.

Teamwork Field Equipment

A complete, 20’x20’ Teamwork field consists of the following:

Most schools will only need to purchase a half-field to prepare for competitions, which would include only one of each of the Field Perimeter and Teamwork Game element kits. If you will be hosting an event, you will need the full Teamwork field. To save costs, consider borrowing equipment from an attending team.

Skills Field Equipment

A complete Skills Field consists of the following:

If you will be hosting an event and need additional Skills Fields, consider borrowing equipment from an attending team.

Registering Your Team

Each season, you will need to register your team with RECF on RECFevents.org. To register your teams, follow the guidelines provided in the article Register an RECF Drone Competition Team. 

Student Age and Team Grade Level

The ADC Pro Competition is designed for High School Students (13+ years old). Younger students (i.e., Middle School) may “play up” and compete as High School Students, but Coaches and parents should carefully consider safety and age level recommendations by the vehicle manufacturers to determine if it is appropriate.

How Much Practice Space Do You Need?

Students need to test and practice with their drones and ground support vehicles, and they will need space to do that. 

Teamwork Matches

Most teams can utilize the half-field option for the Teamwork Field for practicing and testing purposes. The half-field is 10-feet wide by 20-feet long and about 10-feet tall. Due to the thickness of the PVC field perimeter, the actual height is a few inches greater than 10-feet, so it is recommended to use a space that has at least a 10.5-foot ceiling. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The MINDS-i Competition Drone should always be flown in the enclosed netted field perimeter for safety reasons.

Skills Matches

The Skills Field is approximately 14-feet wide by 8-foot long and does not require a netted enclosure. It’s recommended to have an open space to allow for students to walk around the field.

Assign Team Roles

Teams can vary in size, and your team will be more productive if everyone is assigned roles. Consider rotating roles so that team members can learn and benefit from the full program experience. Assign or have the students choose roles that best fit their interests, skills, and needs. It is common for a student to perform more than one role on a team, and for multiple students to share a role.

Common ADC Pro Team Roles:

• Drone Pilots
• Robot Drivers
• Mission Specialists
• Coders
• Designers
• Builders
• Competition Notebook Documenter
• Team Scout

Tip: Consider assigning backups for roles to sustain your team when an illness or schedule conflict occurs.

Develop a Team Identity

Developing a team identity can be a valuable, fun part of the team-building process. Your team members should use their creativity to establish their own unique identity, which can include choosing a team name, creating displays for their pit space, designing a team shirt, and creating a team cheer or song. The more you celebrate your team’s efforts and accomplishments, the easier it will be to engage other students and potential supporters that will help you build your program.

Register for and Attend Events

ADC Pro Competitions give your team a chance to demonstrate the work they've done on their drones, robots, code, and Competition Notebook. Typical competitions include Teamwork Matches, Autonomous Flight matches, Piloting teamwork matches, and interviews for judged awards. For details on how to register for and attend Aerial Drone Competition events, visit ADC Pro > Competitions.