Student Teams Earn Top Honors at the January Jetstream Jam, an RECF Aerial Drone Competition

Feb 03, 2026   ·  

Middle school and high school student teams from Michigan and Ohio competed on January 31 at the January Jetstream Jam, an RECF Aerial Drone Competition event hosted by Kettering University in the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center.

The one-day event featured skills missions, teamwork matches, in-person judging, and digital flight logbooks. Teams were evaluated on piloting skills, autonomous flight programming, teamwork, communication, and aviation safety, in alignment with the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF) standards for the Aerial Drone Competition program.

“Across the RECF Aerial Drone Competition, we see teams that return year after year with a strong grasp of the program’s expectations,” said Kimberly Shumaker, Director, Robotics Outreach and Robotics Center at Kettering. “From skills and teamwork missions to coding and communications, students are challenged to perform across multiple areas. Teams like those from Caledonia reflect that sustained preparation and well-rounded approach, which is exactly what the All-Around Champion award is designed to recognize.”

The January Jetstream Jam is part of a broader commitment to hands-on STEM education supported by Financial Plus Credit Union, which has sponsored Kettering University’s RECF robotics and Aerial Drone Competition programs from 2025 through 2027.

All-Around Champions

The All-Around Champion award recognizes teams that demonstrate strong performance across both judged and mission-based categories.

  • Middle School All-Around Champion:
    7581B – Operation Platypus, Haslett Robotics Club, Haslett, Michigan
  • High School All-Around Champion:
    13130A – Calvin and Hobbes, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan

Teamwork Mission Champions

The Teamwork Mission Champion award recognizes teams that demonstrate effective collaboration and performance in teamwork matches.

  • 13130E – 404 Team Not Found, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan
  • 13130G – Night Runners, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan

Skills Missions Champions

The Skills Missions Champion award recognizes top performance across autonomous flight and piloting skills missions.

  • High School Skills Missions Champion
    13130G – Night Runners, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan
  • Middle School Skills Missions Champion
    13790B – Talk to Me, Goose!!, Duncan Lake Middle School, Caledonia, Michigan

Additional Judged Awards

Several teams were recognized for achievement in specific judged categories.

  • Communications Mission Champion
    13130D – Fly Guys, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan
  • Coding Award
    13130F – Terrain Terrain Pull Up, Caledonia High School, Caledonia, Michigan
  • Airmanship Award
    2700A – Team RUSH Fliers, Clarkston High School, Clarkston, Michigan
  • Judges Award
    3223B – Hamady Hawkeye Drone Squad, Hamady Community High School, Flint, Michigan

The January Jetstream Jam concluded with teamwork elimination matches, finals, and awards, bringing together students, coaches, and volunteers for a full day of competition.