Drone Soccer
Update - November 4, 2024
We have started working with our high school and middle school students and are planning another big year. We have been asked to host the Regional Tournament/Qualifier again in early 2025. Check back for details.
For the 2023-2024 school year, Reagan Middle School and Dixon High School have been running an after school program for drone soccer. Drone Soccer is an aviation team sport.
We are affiliated with U.S. Drone Soccer and we use their guidance and Rulesets for our program. In gameplay, 2 teams of 3 to 5 drones compete in an arena measuring 10' x 10' x 20'. Goal rings hang on each end of the arena and each team has a designated Striker whose mission is to pass through the opposing goal. Teammates support their striker and protect their own goal. A match consists of 3, 3 minutes sets, with time for repair and replacement of drones between sets.
Videos of students having a practice competition in January 2024 are available at Youtube.
Sponsors
We are fortunate to have received grant funding to start this program with the support of our district leadership.
We welcome the support of community and business sponsors to help us continue the program, host matches and potentially travel to tournaments.
We would like to acknowledge and thank these generous sponsors.
Trafera
Donaldson Foundation
Pro Com Systems
Comcast
Our Drone Soccer Team has welcomed guest speakers such as a US Army specialist undergoing training to operate military drones. We look forward to upcoming meetings and demonstrations with members of local law enforcement and area aerospace industry representatives about both their use of drones in real-life applications and other career opportunities within the field.
As part of the activity, students build and program drones. As they learn to fly the drones, student keep maintenance logs and flight logs. Students also earn their Drone Trust Certification, which is a program sponsored by the FAA.
This is a full impact sport, and repair work is required between sets and matches to keep the drones operational.
Dixon Public Schools is an early adopter of Drone Soccer in this area of the United States. There are other regions in the U.S. and internationally where this sports has been taking place for a few years, but overall, this is a new activity.
Drone use has skyrocketed in recent years in business, recreation, law enforcement and in military applications. We are thrilled to be able to provide our students with the opportunity to work with drones and explore new career opportunities.
Nationals
Update - April 30 2024
Our middle school and high school teams had an amazing trip visiting Washington D.C. and competing in the National Championship. Our teams lacked experience at competitions, and were eliminated, but learned a lot and are fired up for next season.
Previous updates below:
Check out this great video story from WQAD about our program... https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/dixon-high-school-reagan-middle-school-drone-soccer/526-cddb8ab9-9ee5-4661-be42-a2fd1c7bea65
We do indeed have our high school and middle school drone soccer teams headed to compete in the National Championship Tournament on April 27th!
We've done popcorn and chocolate fundraisers, and have additional sponsors helping us out. Thanks to our great sponsors for supporting our Nationals trip:
Cassens Health Insurance Agency
Reagan Middle School Student Council
Dixon Fire Charitable Trust
District VI Championship
Our February 24th Tournament was a great Success! You can see the matches on Youtube.
1st Place Team - Reagan Middle School Pharaohs:
2nd Place Team - Dixon High School Knights
3rd Place Team - Reagan Middle School Skyfire:
National Championship
We have the opportunity to take 2 teams to the US Drone Soccer National Championship at Virginia Tech in April, 2024. We are working to make that happen for our students. Thanks to everyone that has helped us, and continues to help us as we blaze a trail in this new technology rich field.
