Drone soccer launches in Philadelphia: Students have fun, learn STEM skills

A new program that melds sports with engineering in Philadelphia could open a path for young people to careers they didn’t think possible.

It’s called drone soccer, and it takes esports to a whole new level: one with physical contact.

Philadelphia entrepreneur and drone instructor Shari Williams is launching the Philadelphia Drone Soccer League to provide students in grades 6-12 the opportunity to learn aviation skills that could steer them toward becoming pilots.

What exactly is drone soccer? Williams described it as a STEM program that “gamifies aerospace education” through competition.

It’s hands on, she said, and lets students pilot drones to score goals. Players split into teams of equal size, flying RC quadcopter drones and ramming them into one another in midair. Each drone is encased in a protective cage, usually lit up with team colors.

Gameplay is kind of like quidditch meets bumper cars.

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