Drone and Rocketry Project Ideas for 4-H and FFA

Aircraft and rockets in one project area

Drones and model rockets look different, but both teach the same discipline: plan the flight, follow safety rules, collect data and report what happened. Many programs group them under aerospace and STEM, and they appeal to members who like electronics, physics and problem solving. If you are only interested in rockets, see model rocketry as well.

Learning the rules before the first flight

Drone rules depend on the aircraft, its use and where you fly, and they change, so members and parents should check current federal and local requirements before any flight. Model rockets are commonly governed by published safety codes from national rocketry organizations, and kits come with instructions to follow exactly. Launches should be run by or with a trained adult, in open areas, with permission. This page does not give build or launch instructions.

Ideas for drones

1. Simulator first: practice with a flight simulator or a small indoor trainer, recording how many hours it takes to hold a steady hover.
2. Crop and pasture scouting study: with a landowner's permission and a trained pilot, compare aerial views of a field with what you see walking it, and explain what each view shows.
3. Mapping project: create a simple map of a farm showing fields, fences, water and buildings, and discuss accuracy.
4. Drone rules poster: summarize current rules for new pilots and update it as they change.

Ideas for rockets

1. Kit build and log: assemble a beginner kit from instructions, with an adult, and record the weather and results of each supervised launch.
2. Variable study: change one thing at a time, such as fin shape or parachute size, and describe what you observed.
3. Science talk: explain Newton's laws using a rocket as an example, or research how space agencies study flight. The NASA STEM site has education resources.

Safety essentials

• Adult supervision for every launch and flight
• Open areas away from people, livestock, roads and power lines
• Check weather first, and do not fly or launch in high wind or storms; the National Weather Service posts forecasts
• Use only commercially made, labeled kits and follow the manufacturer's instructions
• Keep batteries stored and charged by the manufacturer's guidance

Records, exhibits and costs

Keep a flight log with notes on conditions, equipment, goals, results and changes. Exhibits can include a flight log, a diagram, data charts or a safety demonstration. Costs depend on equipment, and beginner kits and simulators keep early spending low. Check your county classes and your program guide, because available categories and age limits vary by state.

Where it leads

These projects connect to robotics, weather and climate and precision agriculture. Careers include aviation, surveying, engineering and agricultural technology. For general program information, see 4-H. For more FFA and 4-H project ideas, visit agriculture.directory and farm.fm's 4-H and FFA section.