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Drone Soccer: �Where STEM and Esports Collide!

Presentation Link: bit.ly/aletdronesoccer

Dr. Robert Mayben, ATiM

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Hello, I am �Dr. Robert Mayben

I am the Region 4 (UA-UWA) Alabama Technology in Motion Specialist

ATiM @ UA-UWA Training Site: uatim.org

ATiM Home: atim.us

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My Drone Background

Started conducting Educational Drone Trainings in 2017
The first drone that I ever flew was a 4K DJI Phantom 3 (think Cadillac) in front of almost an entire school including the principal and superintendent. I didn’t crash it. The second drone I flew was a relatively inexpensive SYMA (think Vespa), and I immediately crashed it. Now ask me why and why is it important?

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The Elephant in the Room

Can I play drone soccer with the drones that I already have at my school?

Yes, if you want to have to keep buying them after every match and if you want to lose the matches to real drone soccer balls.

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What is Drone Soccer?

Drone Soccer is the an educational robotics program that is also an international team sport governed by the World Air Sports Federation (FAI). The game is played with remote-controlled flying quadcopters protected by a protective exoskeleton cage.

U.S. Drone Soccer provides a comprehensive educational program that gamifies STEM & CTE curriculum through teamwork and hands-on learning. This program can be implemented as classroom enrichment and/or as an afterschool competitive club. These lessons are intended to guide student training and preparing for league play and tournaments. No previous drone experience or FAA license is necessary for teachers who want to adopt Drone Soccer.

Students will step through the process to build, program, and fly professional-grade drones which can be flown safely within a netted indoor arena. This program allows a depth of professional skills training that expands the aerospace career pipeline for ages 12-18.

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But what is drone soccer?

Drone Soccer is an exciting team sport played with radio-controlled quadcopters with protective exoskeletons that are designed for collisions. Two teams face off and try to prevent their opponents from scoring by blocking and ramming each other midair.

Yes, this is where STEM and e-Sports collide!�

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Watch this Video

Drone Launch: bit.ly/usdronelaunch

Drone Coverage: https://youtu.be/BcruwwmXRVg

After this presentation, visit this Padlet to post your questions and thoughts. Be sure to include your contact information if you would like for me to contact you.

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Mission of Drone Soccer

The mission of U.S. Drone Soccer is to make aerospace education accessible for all students.

The core values are:

Accessibility

Community

Teamwork

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Accessibility - We are committed to providing opportunities in aerospace to teachers and families by easing the learning curve and eliminating other barriers to entry. Our priority is creating a safe space for learning and professional growth regardless of background or prior experience.

Community - We are committed to the growth of local outreach programs and creating robust support networks for drone education. Together we will foster a culture of safety, equal opportunity, and mutual respect to ensure that all participants are welcomed and valued.

Teamwork - We will ensure that all students can contribute to their team’s success through communication, leadership, and collaboration. Students will mirror professional aerospace team principles of responsibility, integrity, and accountability.

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What is the process?

Through participating in drone soccer, students will learn:�

drone safety and responsibilities.�
aviation terminology as they assemble their drone soccer ball.�
programming skills through drone software.�
drone flight skills and terminology.

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How is the game Played?

A match is composed of three, three-minute periods where two opposing teams play against each other.
Vertical hoops serve as goals at each end of the netted arena with each team defending one side.
One drone is designated as the striker on each team and this drone scores by flying through the opposing goal while other drones defend.
The winner is determined by winning sets similar to tennis or volleyball rather total points for the match.

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Learning to build and fly drones is where the challenge of teamwork and strategy begins. Drone Soccer is a fast-paced

indoor team sport played with remote controlled quadcopter drones in protective plastic spheres (“soccer balls”). A Drone

Soccer match is composed of three, three-minute periods where two opposing teams face off against each other. Vertical

hoops serve as goals at either end of the arena, with each team defending one side.

One designated ‘Striker’ drone on each team can score by flying through the opposing goal, and the other players block

and defends by intentionally colliding with the opposing team. A timer will countdown game play and also specified time

between periods, during which players can swap batteries and make any necessary repairs or substitutions. Total elapsed

time for a complete match is about thirty minutes.

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How does this work with education?

Drone soccer:

Can help students grow through classroom enrichment, camps, and after school competitive leagues (Alabama is getting off the ground now)!
Can be scaled to fit in a classroom or gym.
Combines modern aviation CTE skills and Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards with the benefits of team athletics.
Can help students progress beyond gameplay to custom design and fabrication, larger drone classes on the collegiate level and possible national play.
I’m also working to apply North American Esports Foundation principles as we work toward Drone Soccer in Alabama.

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What Grade Level should I begin Drone Soccer?

Ideally drone soccer should start in the middle grades.�
If you are an elementary educator, you may want to consider other foundational drone progams. �
However, there are some after school programs with 4th and 5th graders considering it.

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What about cost?

Visit https://www.dronesoccer.us/equipment-pricing for pricing information.

Comparable to other robotics programs as a starter kit is approximately $550.

Most schools have students work in teams of 2-3 students per kit.�
It is recommended to have a minimum of 6 drone starter kits in order to allow students to conduct practice matches of 3 vs. 3.�
Grant Ideas�

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Where can I see Drone Soccer in action?

Currently, the best option would be to contact Ruben Morris at the Alabama Aerospace and Aviation HS.
The AAHS Team was one of the demonstration teams at the World Games, and they recently had their new team tryouts.
There are also other civic groups in Bham along with the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.
Schedule at time for ATiM to demonstrate the drones.
And…

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Where can I see Drone Soccer in action?

Southern Educational Robotics Conference

October 6-7 in Auburn
https://scoreau.org/serc �

My Drones in Education PLG

bit.ly/atimdrone22

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Where can I actually get hands on experience?

After more schools begin drone soccer, I will be hosting a drone soccer camp.
There will be some hands-on opportunities at SERC and other conferences in which ATiM is involved.
Follow us on social media for specifics.

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How can ATiM Help?

Provide training and support for Drone Soccer
ATiM at UA-UWA can help host Drone Soccer Matches.

We have a Pro Drone Soccer Arena.
Other ATiMs may also get arenas to host.

Provide ideas for funding and grants

Did you apply for the AMSTI grant?
Middle School Computer Science Grant (Slides 20-24)

Provide information for proposals to start Drone Soccer teams in your schools.
Provide foundational drone training in elementary grades in order to prepare students as they move into Drone Soccer. (This can be an element of Elementary Computer Science!)�

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Resources

US Drone Soccer: dronesoccer.us �
Drone Gameplay Footage: https://youtu.be/kgvI7BprhH4 �
Drone Soccer Videos: www.dronesoccer.us/videos �
ATiM: atim.us �
Email me at RMayben@ua.edu for more resources if you would like to pursue Drone Soccer in your school!�
Post Questions on the ATiM Drone Soccer Padlet.�

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Time Permitting

If time permits, we’ll demonstrate the drones flying.�
If any brave and/or skilled volunteers would like to try, I’ll give you a chance.�

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THANK YOU

Dr. Robert Mayben�Alabama Technology in Motion�UA-UWA Inservice Center | Region 4

Email: RMayben@ua.edu

Site: uatim.org

Twitter: @RMayben9

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Drone Soccer: �Where STEM and Esports Collide!

Presentation Link: bit.ly/aletdronesoccer

Dr. Robert Mayben, ATiM

SLIDESMANIA.COM