A total of five seniors from the Red Mountain High School engineering program traveled to Washington, DC, last weekend to represent the state in the National Real World Design Challenge.
The team earned the spot in nationals after taking first place in the Arizona Real World Design Challenge Governor’s Challenge.
Students were asked to design their own unmanned aerial vehicle, capable of detecting moisture levels in crops significant to our geographical region and economy. They worked with industry-grade software, resources and mentors to bring their ideas to life.
The students developed their own flight plans, researched and adhered to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, and developed a business model and proposal for their potential business. They also developed a 50-page engineering notebook and 15-minute formal presentation.
The Red Mountain team did an excellent job, taking third place behind Connecticut and Massachusetts.
It was an incredible experience for each of the students involved, allowing them to develop real skills valued by the industry. At the same time, students had the opportunity to network with leaders at the forefront of the field.