In this month's edition, meet one of Robot Drone Leagues original super stars, future USAF Pilot Makaila Freeman; take a look at RDL' and RDL Jr Championship venue; and see the work from a few RDL teams learning to design and 3D fabricate innovations for the competition robots. Plus, much much more you do not want to miss! ~ D. Courtney 11/1/2024

Makaila Freeman, an innovative leader in STEM education and one of the original developers of the Robot Drone League (RDL), has made an indelible mark on the world of robotics and aviation education. Her exceptional background as a U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet, combined with her hands-on experience in STEM education, makes her a standout figure in the field.

Freeman’s journey into robotics began in her hometown of Kingsport, Tennessee, where she served as a Program Manager for STREAMWORKS, a non-profit focused on STEM education. Makaila joined an underwater robotics MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) and soon after was offered an internship at STREAMWORKS. From 2018 to 2021, she led various initiatives to enhance educational opportunities for underserved communities, including spearheading robotics programs that would inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. Her work with the Robot Drone League helped solidify its position as a premier competition that blends robotics with real-world aviation challenges.

As one of the original developers of the Robot Drone League, Freeman played a key role in the program's early success. The league was designed to foster creativity, teamwork, and technical skills among middle and high school students. Makaila's mentorship extended beyond classroom instruction, as she actively guided teams through hands-on challenges in robotics and drone technology, preparing them for competitive and academic excellence.

Her leadership abilities were not only limited to civilian educational programs. As an Air Force Officer Candidate at the U.S. Air Force Academy since 2021, Freeman has taken her talents to new heights—literally. She is preparing for a career as an Air Force pilot while continuing her dedication to advancing technological solutions. One of her current projects involves developing a revolutionary assistive wheelchair using Microsoft HoloLens technology, aimed at providing greater autonomy for individuals with tetraplegia.

Freeman’s leadership, technical expertise, and passion for STEM education have already made a lasting impact. As she moves forward in her military career and continues to push the boundaries of innovation, her legacy as a visionary developer of the Robot Drone League will continue to inspire future generations of students and engineers alike.

Her drive to combine her passion for aviation, robotics, and technology with educational outreach has positioned her as a rising star both in the military and the world of STEM education. Makaila was never given anything, she earned every bit of it!

Our Favorite Makaila Quote: "True success is not just about reaching the top; it's about overcoming every trial and tribulation along the way. Each challenge faced becomes a stepping stone, proving that resilience turns dreams into reality." ~ Sr. Cadet Makaila Freeman, USAF Academy 2025.

Makaila will graduate next May from the USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado with a Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Makaila has been selected for pilot, one of 60 candidates selected from a highly competitive field of 400 cadets. After graduation, Makaila looks forward to flight school and hopes to one day pilot the USAF AC-130 Hercules Gun Ship.

East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee Dome

NEWS FLASH!!! RDL / RDL Jr. teams have outgrown the ETSU Center for Physical Activity (CPA) and beginning this season, will move the championship event into the ETSU dome for the fist time this coming January!

ETSU Dome History

With the exception of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains surrounding the city, perhaps the most dominant landmark in Johnson City, Tennessee, and certainly the ETSU campus, is Memorial Center, better know as the Mini-Dome. The Mini-Dome is unique in that the facility undergoes a major metamorphosis each year between the passing sports seasons. A couple of times each year, the facility is transformed into a first-class indoor track facility. The Mini-Dome served as the site of the Southern Conference Championships in 2003, as it has been numerous times in the past. The Dome offers players and spectators the comforts of 78 degree temperatures in the winter and cool 68 degree marks in the warmer months. The climate is maintained by 1,140 tons of air conditioning, provided by the university’s chiller plant and by steam heat from the campus power plant. The facilities housed within the Mini-Dome include the main basketball floor, Gentry Field, two auxiliary basketball courts, a six-lane, 280-meter track, six racquetball/handball courts, six tennis courts, a rifle range, two gymnasiums, a strength training facility, several locker rooms, and a physical education research laboratory. The offices for most of ETSU’s varsity sports are also housed in the Dome, as well as the athletics administration and athletic media relations offices. The height above the arena floor is 121 feet. The covered areas of the Mini-Dome cover approximately 184,000 square feet, or about 4.5 acres. The main arena covers 87,300 square feet, while the exterior of the building measures 435 feet by 424 feet. It took more than four years to complete the Mini-Dome and cost $8.3 million to build. Construction began in March of 1973 and the building was used for the first time on September 10, 1977. The largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game at Memorial Center was 14,051 on October 14, 1994, when the Charlotte Hornets played the Atlanta Hawks in an NBA exhibition game.

Red Bank Elementary played host to the 2nd Annual RDL Jr competition on October 26th, 2024. Teams from several area schools participated in the one day robotics and drone STEM competition challenge, MINESHAFT.

TOP SCORES AND AWARDS

Sponsored by Tennessee Valley Authority

RDL Jr. Chattanooga

Teams were challenged to design in Computer Aided Design (CAD), various implements on the RDL Develop Air Competition drone. Check out below the designs and inspiring insight from the team members behind the innovations:

Team leadership (pic below) want to share! "Reach out if you would like a STL file of our prop guards for 3D printing! We love to share our files."

email RDL Team #195 Head Coach Rich Hawkins at hawkinsr@hcboe.net

Pictured (L - R)

Nathan Strumski is a Junior at Morristown West High School, participates in German and Robotics Clubs. Currently taking AP Calculus, Honors Physics, Welding, and German. He aspires to weld and design roller coaster track components for a major manufacturer. He has ridden more roller coasters than most people 3 times his age. He can often determine the manufacturer by the track, his favorite roller coaster is Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point. Nathan has great insight into structural engineering and design.

Ruby Tiedeman is a Sophomore at Morristown West High School. She has 9 animals (4 dogs, 5 cats) whom she loves and adores very much. She enjoys art, as well as engineering, and enjoyed working on the prop guard for the new drone(s).

Nevaeh Chamlee is a senior at West High School. She enjoys astronomy and studying aerospace engineering. She loves her friends, family, cat, and flowers. She will soon be attending Tennessee Technological University in 2025 and studying Aerospace engineering.

"Upon realizing there were no current designs for propeller guards for the Develop Air Mini, I determined that I would have to make my own design. I looked for some inspiration on the 3D printing website Thingiverse and found a few designs to base mine on. The first thing I did was design a clasp that would grip onto the shaft of the propeller platform via tension, but I found that the PLA filament I used for the design was too weak to support a design that held on with tension. Before realizing this, I made a guard design with three shafts that stuck out and were connected together by a sort of half-circle design. This initial design looked aesthetically pleasing but did not protect the propeller enough as it was too low. I had to basically redesign from the ground up, creating a stronger and taller design that used a screw clasp as opposed to a tension clasp. This taller, double-layer design creates an angle where the guard slips off of flat surfaces as opposed to absorbing impact, destroying the guard. This is the design that stuck and what I ended up doing for its simplicity and strength."

Interested to learn more? Cole says he can help and is willing to share ideas.

For design files, email Cole at colew.wolff@ecschools.org .......His consultancy fees are cookies!

Double Tree by Hilton Hotel $125.00 per night + tax

Start Date January 24, 2025

End Date: January 26, 2025

Last Day to Book to receive room rate: January 1, 2025

Phone Reservations-

• Guests can call us at 423-929-2000 and request a room with ETSU Robot Drone League group.
• Guests must make their reservations before 1/1/2025.

Web Reservations-

• Guests can make their reservation using this group web link-

View your attendee website

• Guests must make their reservations before 1/1/2025.

Fairfield Inn Johnson City $129.00 per night + tax

Start Date: Friday, January 24, 2025

End Date: Sunday, January 26, 2025

Last Day to Book : Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Fairfield Inn & Suites Johnson City for 129.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book : Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Book your group rate for ETSU Robot Drone League Championship

You will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event.

Carnegie Hotel $149.00 per night + tax

Start Date January 24, 2025

End Date: January 26, 2025

Last Day to Book to receive room rate: January 3, 2025

You must call Carnegie Hotel 423-979-6400 and tell them “robot drone league”. Guests will have until January 3, 2025 to make reservations in this block at the discounted rate of $149 per night plus tax.

For additional information, email Dr. Betsy Cunningham at betsy@streamworkseducation.org

Attend as an educator or bring the whole team! This multi-day workshop is hosted at STREAMWORKS, located at the ETSU Valleybrook Campus, near Gray, Tennessee (a short drive to the Great Smokey Mountains and Dollywood!).

Robot Drone League Referral Rewards Program. Teams referring 3 or more RDL or RDL Jr. teams are eligible to receive free season registration for regular regional events. Other promotions may apply including equipment and product swag giveaways. Contact your regional coordinator or info@robotdroneleague.com for more information.

Contact Dennis Courtney

dcourtney@streamworkseducation.org

423.579.4083