At Embry-Riddle, learning doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom. For students interested in engineering, the possibilities for engagement, teamwork, competition and hands-on experience are endless.

Competition Teams

At Embry‑Riddle, Eagles thrive on competition. Our students work together across disciplines to design high-quality robotics, uncrewed aircraft systems, programming solutions and more.

Gaining a competitive edge is crucial for students in Embry‑Riddle's engineering programs, and they consistently rise to the occasion and come out on top. From electric vehicles to autonomous maritime robotics, Embry‑Riddle students are always searching for innovative ways to make an impact and leave a legacy.

Design/Build/Fly

Design/Build/Fly

Found on both the Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses, the Design/Build/Fly (DBF) club works toward an annual competition that attracts teams from universities across the globe.

The DBF Competition, hosted by AIAA,challenges teams to design and buildan uncrewed, electric-powered, radio-controlled aircraft. Requiring expertise from a variety of engineering disciplines, including aerospace, mechanical, electrical and software, DBF fosters teamwork and gives students the opportunity to apply their engineering knowledge to real-world applications.

From preliminary design to CAD modeling and prototyping to flight testing, students in DBF are hands-on with their team’s aircraft from start to finish, culminating in a series of evaluations at the international flyoff.

At the 2024 competition, the Daytona Beach team finished in first place, and the Prescott team landed in the top 10.


Daytona Beach

  • Autonomous Maritime Robotics Association – participates in both RoboSub and MATE ROV, competitions that focus on underwater robotics
  • Embry‑Riddle Future Space Explorers and Developers Society – competes with a two-stage rocket in the 45,000-feet category at the International Rocket Engineering Competition
  • ERAU Motorsports – designs, builds and competes with an innovative and high-performance internal combustion race car at Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), an international collegiate racing competition
  • Flightless Eagles – competes in Red Bull Flugtag, which tasks teams with creating a human-powered flying machine
  • Robotics Association at Embry‑Riddle (RAER) – participates in a variety of land, sea and air robotics competitions, including RobotX, NASA Lunabotics, RoboBoat and SUAS (Student Uncrewed Aerial Systems)

Prescott

  • Eaglenautics – designs, builds, simulates and flies heavy-lift RC ("radio-controlled") aircraft to compete in the SAE annual Aero Design Challenge
  • Redline Racing Division – designs, builds and competes with an innovative and high-performance race car at Formula SAE
  • VEX Robotics Club – competes at university-level VEX Robotics competitions, where students work on either the programming team or the build team to create a working robot
  • PARSEC (Professional Association of Research for Space Engineering Concepts) – participates in NASA’s Human Lander Challenge, a competition that tasks students with an annual challenge related to space exploration

Technical & Research Clubs

Focusing on gaining real-world experience before they graduate, Embry‑Riddle students jump at the chance to engage in research and technical projects available on campus. Offering foundational experiences coveted by employers, joining a technical or research club can give you a step up when searching for summer internships, co-ops and post-graduate positions.

Whether you’re seeking to reach new heights, make an impact across borders or code the next generation of AI, Embry‑Riddle's technical and research clubs are here to help you build the skills and confidence necessary to reach your goals.

EagleSat

EagleSat

Designed and created by Embry‑Riddle Prescott’s EagleSat club, EagleSat-2 is a 3U CubeSat that launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft on Sept. 14 as a part of NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative.

After the successful launch of EagleSat-1 in 2017, the club gained a spot for a second satellite among 10 other universities in NASA’s highly competitive program.

Focusing on computer memory degradation research, the data gained from EagleSat-2 will contribute to further research on developing more durable memory chips for use in space.

Throughout the seven-year journey, EagleSat-2 has seen several generations of students and had its share of setbacks. However, the 2025 launch speaks to the determination and resilience of Embry‑Riddle students and their ability to overcome and succeed.

Read more about EagleSat-2's journey to space

Daytona Beach

  • Advanced Humanoid Robotics Laboratory - pushes the boundaries of technology and provides students with critical experience regarding the development of humanoid robotic systems
  • Embry‑Riddle Future Space Explorers and Developers Society – provides students with experience in rocket composite manufacturing, electronics development and technical report writing and hosts a National Association of Rocketry (NAR) certification workshop
  • Embry‑Riddle Search and Rescue Technologies – focuses on engineering systems for aid in search and rescue applications, giving students experience in composites, electronics, engineering design and testing
  • Experimental Jet Engine Propulsion Club – offers a platform for students to push the boundaries of jet engine technology through hands-on projects and collaborative exploration
  • Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab – dedicated to the design, building and testing of rocket engines and flight vehicles through a range of projects, including liquid rocket engines, feed systems, avionics and more
  • Icarus Sounding Rocket Program – a student-driven initiative dedicated to establishing a groundbreaking sounding (suborbital) rocket program
  • UAS Technology Club – works to forward the advancement of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) technologies from a design, development and operations perspective

Prescott

  • APEX (Advanced Polytechnic Engineering Experience) – brings students together to work on a real-life engineering project, encouraging them to communicate and develop the necessary skills to be effective leaders and teammates in their engineering discipline
  • Eagle Robotics - provides students with new learning opportunities and experience with 3D printing, computer-aided design, mechatronics and more
  • Engineers Without Borders USA – seeks to build an improved world through engineering projects that help communities meet their basic human needs and assist leaders in tackling the world’s biggest challenges
  • Prescott Yacht Club – aims to provide students with a hands-on experience with leadership, teamwork, the engineering process and finances through designing and building an autonomous sailboat
  • Rocket Development Lab – dedicated to giving undergraduate students the tools and resources they need to build, test and launch their own rockets through hands-on workshops, educational seminars and more

Professional Organizations & Honor Societies

Professional organizations offer students a glimpse into industry environments — often focusing on a specific career niche or demographic. These organizations provide professional and career development, networking opportunities, workshops and more.

In many cases, membership continues beyond graduation, providing ongoing benefits to you as a young professional and throughout your career.

  • American Indians in Science and Engineering Society (DB)
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (DB, PC)
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (DB)
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (DB)
  • Biomedical Engineering Society (DB)
  • Florida Engineering Society (DB)
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (DB, PC)
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (DB)
  • National Society of Black Engineers (DB, PC)
  • Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (DB, PC)
  • Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics (DB)
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (DB, PC)
  • Society of Women Engineers (DB, PC)

Honor societies are organizations that recognize students for high academic achievement and solid character. Like professional organizations, membership often continues after graduation and can provide you with leadership opportunities and access to a network of industry professionals.

  • Sigma Gamma Tau – Aerospace Engineering (PC)
  • Tau Beta Pi – All Engineering Disciplines (DB, PC)

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