Take Flight: The 2025-2026 DWU Middle School Aviation Challenge

The Vital Role of Agriculture in Modern Society

Agriculture is a cornerstone of life in the United States and globally, providing essential resources such as food, fuel, and economic growth. As the world evolves, it becomes crucial to enhance agricultural practices to meet community needs. The industry faces numerous hurdles, including production setbacks, pest infestations, climate challenges, and financial sustainability. To overcome these, agriculture must innovate and embrace technology, enhancing resilience and efficiency.

NASA’s Vision for Advanced Air Mobility

NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) initiative aims to integrate drones into the U.S. national airspace, focusing on accessibility, safety, and affordability. These drones, ranging from cargo carriers to passenger air taxis, can reach remote urban and rural areas. The ACERO project explores using this technology to aid emergency responders in wildfire situations. As more UAVs take to the skies, NASA’s Aircraft Operations and Safety Program (AOSP) ensures airspace safety for all, including people, livestock, and agriculture.

2025/2026 Dream with Us Design Challenge

The Dream with Us Design Challenge invites students to propose ideas for integrating Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) into agriculture. Teams will explore how drones can enhance crop monitoring, production, pest resilience, and more. Middle school teams of 2-4 members will conceptualize new UAV designs or improve existing ones, focusing on:

• Monitoring crop health and sampling
• Boosting crop production
• Enhancing harvest efficiency
• Strengthening resilience to climate changes
• Other relevant agricultural areas

Creating Impactful Presentations

Teams will present their drone designs to NASA experts, explaining regional needs and how their innovations address specific agricultural challenges. Additionally, teams will create educational materials for younger students, such as videos or posters, to inspire future generations.

Resources and Recognition

Participants will access STEM resources to aid their projects. Winning teams will meet NASA experts and have their designs showcased on social media. The challenge is open to middle school students in grades 6-8, with submissions accepted from September 26 to December 31, 2025. For more details, visit the Dream with Us webpage.

Submission Guidelines and Evaluation

Entries must be original and submitted by teams of 2-4 students. Presentations can include various formats, such as PowerPoint, videos, or infographics. Each submission should detail the drone’s impact on agriculture and include a creative project for younger audiences. Submissions will be judged on impact, practicality, originality, and communication.

Technical and Creative Categories

1. Technical Category
   • Identify the agricultural area addressed and its significance.
   • Explain the drone’s role and improvements over existing technologies.
   • Discuss potential applications in other agricultural areas.
2. Creative Category
   • Develop a project to educate elementary students about agriculture and drone benefits.

Additional Information

For more details on drones and their applications, visit NASA’s UAS documentation. For questions, contact the NASA Aeronautics STEM team at [email protected].

Explore more about the Dream with Us: Middle School Aviation Challenge and the Dream with Us initiative.