An online discussion forum and Q&A system will be available to all registered teams, with Bell competition staff standing by to answer questions!

We will also be updating the open-source code, build instructions, and other support documentation regularly in response to team feedback.

Yes! More details to come! Upon registering, your REC Foundation Team Engagement Manager will keep you posted with all the details.

The following programming languages/environments can be used:

• Bell AVR Drone
  • Python, via VS Code
  • PC, Mac
• Secondary drone (Tello EDU)
  • Scratch Blocks or JavaScript via DroneBlocks
  • PC, Mac,Chromebook, Android, iOS
• Ground vehicles (Sphero RVR and Sphero Minis)
  • Scratch Blocks or JavaScript via Sphero Edu
  • PC, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS

Teams will need the following skills in order to follow the build instructions:

• Soldering 
• 3D printing (.STL files provided)
• Basic hardware assembly (screws, standoffs, nuts, etc)
• Basic software installation and updating (unrestricted internet connection required)

The Bell AVR Drone comes with a set of open-source instructions, designed to be a similar experience as building an R/C car.  We will show you where every component, screw, and wire goes!  

The documentation is intended to be comprehensive enough for teams who have no prior experience with drone design / construction to achieve “first flight” within the first few weeks of build season.  

The documentation will also include “send us feedback” links on every page - so, if you come across a step that is particularly confusing, or find a different way to approach a problem, you can let us know and we will be updating the documentation throughout the season for all teams to benefit from!

➥ 2021 Build Instructions

Email us at BellAVR@roboticseducation.org for additional information about the Bell AVR Competition.

Generally, yes, payment is due by August 1. However, we do understand that school purchasing delays can happen, and we will do what we can to accommodate these situations case-by-case. We would still encourage you to go through the registration process on RobotEvents.com, choose "Pay Later”. However, this route includes the following caveats:

1. Please be sure to inform your REC Foundation Team Engagement Manager upon registering.
2. There are a limited number of team seats available per region, due to kit and event size limitations. So, the best way to guarantee your spot will be to get payment in as soon as possible.
3. Proof of payment pending will help with this process, such as PO request correspondence or an accounting contact within your purchasing department that we can follow up with directly.
4. We will be verifying payment before shipping registration kits in August. So, if you cannot guarantee payment by August 1, you will be at risk of having your registration withheld.

Yes, all teams must pay the full $4000 fee.  In addition to the event registration, there are going to be several things changing in the kit from last year, so doing a cost reduction for the few similar items would not be very significant. 

This year's kit is being designed to be much more future-proofed, so a discounted "returning team kit/registration fee" is something that we are investigating for the future!

• A standard engineering/robotics/shop classroom should be sufficient for preliminary build and testing (plenty of lab tables, power outlets, computers, etc).
•  The absolute minimum space that would be recommended for basic indoor testing within a netted enclosure is roughly 12ft x 12ft x 8ft.
• Outdoor flight is not recommended, and must still be done within a netted enclosure.
• Although a realistic playing field is always helpful for practice, most teams do not find it necessary to build the full 15ft x 40ft x 15ft netted field.  Having enough space to simulate a “half field” (15ft x 20ft x 15ft) or focusing on individual field elements (ranging from less than 1ft x 1ft x 1ft to 4ft x 8ft x 8ft) should be sufficient for most teams.
• Note: All dimensions above are listed as length-width-height, or X-Y-Z.

Yes. Please complete the registration process first and receive a generic number, and then contact your REC Foundation Team Engagement Manager to request a number change

• Drones used in the Bell AVR competition are designed and intended for safe educational use, as long as standard safety "best practices" are followed! 
• Teams must fly the Bell AVR drone inside of a netted enclosure, with prop guards securely mounted.  We recommend a standard netted pop-up tent or a commercially-available drone cage. 
• Drone use at competition events may only be done under strict guidelines (e.g. props must be removed in the pit areas, the drone may only be powered on in certain areas, etc). Full details & information will be found in the Assembly Guide and Game Manual. 

• This will vary depending on every team’s individual circumstances, but in general, it can be viewed similarly to a typical robotics competition team schedule - 3-5 days each week of after-school meetings during the build/competition season, with some teams meeting on Saturdays or during class time when available.
• Every team automatically receives registration for one qualifying event, and has the option to register for one additional event. All events are one full day and held on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

• High School students (US grades 9-12)
• If a high school includes younger students (e.g. junior-senior high schools), they may be included with the high school teams, but it is generally not recommended due to the complexity of some of the challenges

The minimum number is 7 students, to support the 7-student drive team. If you have fewer than 7 students, your drive team may not be able to complete all of the challenges successfully. There is no maximum, but we would typically recommend no more than 10-15 students for a single team.

The 2022 season timeline:

• February-August 1, 2022 – Team registration open
• August – Registration kits ship to registered teams
• August 27 – Game release and season kickoff!
• September-November – Build season
• November – Competition season (see “Competition Events” for more details)
• December 3 – Championship event

Qualification criteria will be released alongside the rest of the game materials in August!

Registration is done through the event page on RobotEvents.com.

• Events are one day long, and are all held on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
• All teams play up to 4 scheduled matches over the course of the day.
• Teams will be expected to interview for judged awards.
• Teams will have an assigned pit space, roughly 10ft x 10ft, with a table and a power outlet.
• Events are free and open to the public. Spectator seating is available!

• Qualifying events are held each of the first three weekends in November
  • Week 1 (Nov 5-6): Austin TX, Grandville MI
  • Week 2 (Nov 12-13): Arlington TX, Grandville MI
  • Week 3 (Nov 19-20): Arlington TX, Grandville MI, Washington DC
• The season-culminating championship event is on Dec 3, 2022
• One event is included in the team registration fee, and teams have the option to register for a second event for a $500 event fee.
  • If a team qualifies, the championship event in December has no additional event fee.