The Rotortech Futures Design Challenge is a national design and innovation competition for Australian students in Years 7–12, created in partnership with Makers Empire and Careers by AMDA as part of Rotortech 2026, Australia’s premier helicopter and unmanned flight event.
The competition gives students the chance to explore real-world challenges in aviation, helicopters, drones, and emerging rotor technologies. Students can work individually or in teams (max 5 students) to develop a creative concept, design solution, prototype, or idea — then present it in a 3-minute video.
Whether students are interested in STEM, engineering, the environment, defence, emergency services, design, or digital technologies, this competition helps them discover the exciting future of rotorcraft and aviation careers.
Open to Queensland students in Years 7–12
Students may enter on their own or through their school
Two design categories: Rotary Wing Innovation and Drone & UAV Applications
Fully online, accessible to regional and remote communities
Winning schools receive funded travel to attend Rotortech 2026
Selected entries showcased in a Virtual Exhibition from Term 2 Week 1
This competition is proudly supported by Careers by AMDA, AGISP and industry partners committed to inspiring the next generation of aviation and aerospace innovators.
Students choose one of two categories, create a short video submission, and compete for the chance for their school to be funded to attend ROTORTECH 2026.
Competition Opens: Wednesday 10 December 2025
Submissions Close: Monday, Term 1 Week 8 (24 March 2026)
Winners Announced: Term 1 Week 10 (Mon 6–Fri 10 April 2026)
Online Showcase of selected students submission: Term 2 Week 1 (From Monday 20 April 2026)
Competition Opens:
Wednesday 10 December 2025
Week 8 – Monday 24 March 2026: Submissions Due
Week 10 – 6–10 April 2026: Winners Announced
Term 2 2026
Week 1 – Monday 20 April 2026: Online Showcase Opens
The competition is open to:
All students are welcome — from regional, rural, remote, or metropolitan schools. Entries are limited to residents of Queensland or students at schools operating in Queensland.
Students may enter on their own, or through a school.
Step 1 — Register
Students/teachers register via the online form on this website.
Step 2 — Learn About the Competition
All details, instructions, examples, and tips are posted on this competition webpage.
Step 3 — Create Your Video
Submit a maximum 3-minute video explaining your idea, prototype, or concept.
Step 4 — Submit by the Deadline
Upload through the submission page before Monday 16 Mar 2026 (Term 1 Week 8)
Step 5 — Check the Showcase
Winning projects and featured entries will appear online in Term 2 Week 1.
Explore improvements in rotorcraft design or use
((e.g. safety, aero dynamics, sustainability, medical/emergency support).
Example focus areas:
Your video submission (max 3 min) should explain:
• the real-world problem you selected
• your design or innovation
• the STEM or aerodynamic principles involved
• how this idea links to future aviation careers
Design and test drone-based solutions to regional challenges
(e.g. emergency supplies, agriculture, environmental monitoring)
Example focus areas:
Your video submission should explain:
• the challenge
• your drone concept
• how it works
• the aviation or defence careers connected to your design
Projects will be scored using:
Innovation & Problem-Solving (30%)
Technical Understanding (30%)
Real-World Relevance (20%)
Communication & Presentation (20%)
Two Winning Schools
Brief A: Quiet Rotor Challenge
Design a rotor system that reduces helicopter noise levels for urban operations.
Brief B: Emergency Medic Lift System
Create a concept for safely transporting injured people using rotorcraft in remote areas.
Brief C: Green Rotorcraft
Propose a clean-energy helicopter using electric, hydrogen, or hybrid propulsion.
Brief D: Stability Upgrade Kit
Develop an add-on that improves the stability or control of small rotorcraft.
Brief A: Disaster Response Drone
Design a UAV that can assess damage and deliver supplies after floods or fires.
Brief B: Wildlife Conservation Drone
Build a concept that helps track endangered animals or monitor habitats.
Brief C: Outback Delivery System
Develop a drone solution for remote medical deliveries in isolated communities.
Brief D: Smart Agriculture UAV
Design a drone that helps farmers monitor crops, water usage, or pests.
Eligibility
Submission Requirements
Permission to Use Media (Required for Entry)
By submitting an entry, students (and their parents/carers if under 18) grant Careers by AMDA / AMDA Foundation Limited and Makers Empire permission to:
Use submitted videos
Use student names, photographs, school names, and project descriptions
Publish content on event websites, virtual galleries, social media, and promotional materials
Display student work at Rotortech events and partner activities
Judging
A panel from Careers by AMDA / AMDA Foundation Limited, Makers Empire, AGISP (Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools) aerospace educators, and industry partners will judge entries.
Judging decisions are final.
Prizes
Up to two schools will receive funded travel for 5 students + 1 teacher to attend Rotortech 2026.
If a winning school declines, the prize may be offered to another qualifying school.
In addition to event access, winning schools will also receive:
– A dedicated meet-and-greet session with key industry partners, providing exclusive insight into real careers and current projects.
– A special onsite experience at Rotortech 2026 — this may include a helicopter flight or another aviation-related activity (to be confirmed).
Privacy
Personal information is used only for competition administration and award coordination.
Student identities will only be shared publicly with consent provided through the entry of the submission.
*Entries close: Monday of Term 1, Week 8 — 24 March 2026
Any Queensland student in Years 7–12.
Students can enter individually or as part of a school/team (max 5 students).
No.
Students may enter independently.
Schools may also register to coordinate multiple entries.
The competition directly relates to aspects of the Design and Technologies learning area of the Australian Curriculum Version 9. Opportunities for assessment could relate to some of the following descriptors.
AC9TDE8K01
Analyse how people in design and technologies occupations consider ethical and sustainability factors to design and produce products, services and environments
AC9TDE8K02
Analyse the impact of innovation and the development of technologies on designed solutions for global preferred futures
AC9TDE8K03
Analyse how force, motion and energy are used to manipulate and control engineered systems
AC9TDE8K06
Analyse how characteristics and properties of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment can be combined to create designed solutions
AC9TDE8P01
Analyse needs or opportunities for designing, and investigate and select materials, components, tools, equipment and processes to create designed solutions
AC9TDE8P02
Generate, test, iterate and communicate design ideas, processes and solutions using technical terms and graphical representation techniques, including using digital tools
AC9TDE10K01
Analyse how people in design and technologies occupations consider ethical, security and sustainability factors to innovate and improve products, services and environments
AC9TDE10K02
Analyse the impact of innovation, enterprise and emerging technologies on designed solutions for global preferred futures
AC9TDE10K03
Analyse and make judgements on how the characteristics and properties of materials are combined with force, motion and energy to control engineered systems
AC9TDE10P01
Analyse needs or opportunities for designing; develop design briefs; and investigate, analyse and select materials, systems, components, tools and equipment to create designed solutions
AC9TDE10P02
Apply innovation and enterprise skills to generate, test, iterate and communicate design ideas, processes and solutions, including using digital tools
No — it is optional.
Students may use any tools they prefer, including sketches, physical prototypes, simulations, or digital models.
Any schools/students that would like to use Makers Empire for the competition will be provided access for the duration of the competition.
Up to 3 minutes maximum.
Your video should:
It’s up to you as long as you can make it in an mp4 or mov format. , but if you’re looking for some free video editing tools here are some you might like to try:
Absolutely — the competition is designed to be accessible to all locations across Queensland.
Yes.
Home-schooled students enter as “individual entrants.”
One entry per student or team.
MP4, MOV, or similar standard formats.
Up to 5 students + 1 teacher per winning school is funded by Careers by AMDA. If a school requires more support attendees – to be discussed directly with careers@amda.com.au once winners are announced.
Yes — travel for the two winning schools is funded by Careers by AMDA / AMDA Foundation Limited.
Monday of Term 1, Week 8 — 24 March 2026
Term 1, Week 10 — 6–10 April 2026
Selected entries will appear in an online showcase starting Term 2, Week 1.
Rotortech Vertical Flight Exposition, held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast.
Student attendance at the conference will take place on Friday, 8 May 2026, with travel dates dependent on the location of each winning school.
Find out more about the conference here.
Catering is included at the conference, and we will also provide support for food costs incurred during travel.
Your privacy is important to us. This competition is delivered by Maker’s Empire Pty Ltd in partnership with the Careers by AMDA / AMDA Foundation Limited.
What information we collect
When you register or submit an entry, we may collect:
Your name
School name (if applicable)
Year level
Contact email
Your project video and related materials
How your information is used
We use this information to:
Administer and manage the competition
Communicate with participants
Judge entries and select winners
Organise awards and recognition
Display selected entries in the online showcase and event materials
Media & Publication
By entering, you give permission for:
Your video, photo, name, school, and project description
To be published online, at Rotortech events, and across AMDA/Makers Empire platforms
For promotion, education, and industry outreach related to the competition
This includes the online Virtual Gallery, event presentations, social media posts, reports, websites, and other promotional uses.
Your rights
You can request access to the information we hold about you.
You can request correction of your details.
For safety and privacy reasons, only first names may be displayed publicly for under-18s where appropriate.
Security
Your digital information is stored securely and is only accessed by authorised staff involved in the competition.
