Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), founded nearly 100 years ago, is widely recognized as the largest accredited university system in the world specializing in aerospace and aviation education. The university has two stateside campuses: its flagship campus in Daytona Beach, Florida, and a secondary campus in Prescott, Arizona. ERAU also delivers aeronautical education to over 22,000 online students and maintains more than 130 worldwide locations, including sites on approximately 100 U.S. military bases.

As an educational institution with strong military connections, ERAU began exploring unmanned aviation technology in the early 2000s. By 2010, the university had incorporated drones into its curriculum offerings. In May 2015, ERAU partnered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and became an FAA-designated Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems through a program called ASSURE (Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence). Since then, ERAU has continued to push the boundaries of drone research and education, supporting all aspects of the rapidly growing industry.

Recognizing the importance of introducing pre-secondary students to drone technology, ERAU has a longstanding history of engaging K-12 students through various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) initiatives. The university offers summer camps and a program that allows high school students to take college-level classes. Since 2020, ERAU has brought its Drone Olympics event to local schools, giving students the opportunity to experience a variety of drone challenges. This past school year, ERAU expanded its outreach with the inaugural Drones in School Florida State Championship.

The competition was sponsored by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), a pioneer in utilizing drone technology for power line inspections. “At FPL, we are deeply committed to supporting the advancement of robotics and drones in education,” a company representative stated. “Through this initiative, FPL reinforces its dedication to STEM education, providing students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for the future.”

ERAU worked closely with educators and students from high schools and middle schools throughout Florida to make the event possible. Ultimately, 32 teams,16 from high schools and 16 from middle schools, gathered on April 25, 2025, to compete for a chance to advance to the national competition at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) XPONENTIAL Conference in Houston, Texas.

At the 2025 Drones in School Florida State Championship, held at Embry-Riddle’s ICI Center in Daytona Beach, teams tested their skills in a fast-paced, hands-on competition. The event featured a variety of drone challenges, including racing through obstacle courses, simulated scrimmage battles, and a capture-the-flag mission designed to showcase teamwork, precision flying, and problem-solving. Students used drones from DIY kits, pre-made models, or those they designed and 3D printed themselves.

Points from all events were tallied, revealing the top three high school teams as Sigma Six from Navarre High School, Seacoast from Seacoast Collegiate High School, and the Eagles from Donna Klein Jewish Academy. The winning middle school teams were 6 Arrows and Cypress Speeds, both from A.D. Henderson Lab School, followed by Eagles Perch from Donna Klein Jewish Academy.

From May 21 to 22, 2025, 27 teams from high schools and middle schools across the U.S. traveled to Houston for the 50th annual AUVSI XPONENTIAL Conference. There, at the George R. Brown Convention Center, they competed in the STEM Drone Racing Championship sponsored by the national STEM education initiative, Drones in School. The overall national champions were Full Throttle from Bellbrook High School in Bellbrook, Ohio, and 6 Arrows from A.D. Henderson Lab School in Boca Raton, Florida, one of the winning middle schools from the ERAU competition.

The success of the Drones in School Florida State Championship and the national STEM Drone Racing Championship highlights the growing role of drone technology in education and the importance of hands-on STEM learning. By partnering with industry leaders and offering real-world challenges, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is not only inspiring the next generation of engineers, pilots, and innovators but also helping students build critical skills for emerging careers. As drone programs continue to expand in schools across the country, these competitions represent more than just a race, they are a launchpad for future opportunities.

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