Airport Design Challenge (K-6): Orientation
Welcome to the Airport Design Challenge! Before you fly, we want to help you get ready! Here, you can see what will happen, a simple schedule, helpful tips, and more!
Look at the information below to learn more about what you’ll do in ADC!
Are you ready to build something awesome? Let’s learn about airports, where airplanes take off and land.
Airports help people and things travel all around the world. Lots of people work at airports to keep flying safe and fun.
In this program, you’ll learn cool things about airports. Then, you’ll pick an airport near you and build it in Minecraft!
What to do if you need help!
Don’t worry! Parents, teachers, and FAA helpers are here for you. You can ask questions anytime by sending an email to avsed.challenge@faa.gov. Be sure to copy a parent/guardian, or teacher!
You can also visit a real airport with your family! Airport managers love visitors.
We can’t wait to see your airports! Use your imagination and pay attention to details.
As you get started, you may have some questions:
First, pick your airport. Then, follow the six fun lessons. An adult can help you plan your schedule. Then you can check them off as you go.
Let’s build, learn, and fly together!
View the recommended schedule for completing your project.
Big airports have more things to build, but small airports can be fun too! Look up your airport with a grown-up to see what it looks like.
No! You’ll also read lesson guides, watch fun videos, and take little quizzes. This helps you learn and build a great airport.
No worries! We have some fun Minecraft videos to help you get started! You can watch a bunch of cool videos that show you how to play, and there's another video that explains how you can get Minecraft.
Make sure to watch them so you know how to start! If you have any questions, feel free to ask an adult and email avsed.challenge@faa.gov for help!
What are the judges looking for? How do you achieve a good score? What are some common mistakes?
Below is the rubric we will use to score your airport:
| Score Range | Technical Accuracy | Creativity | Innovation | Presentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | Scale and dimensions are all wrong. Missing big parts of the airport. | Land around the airport is flat and doesn’t look like the land around the airport. Airport parts don’t look very creative. | No innovation ideas or technology on the airport. | Presentation does not have the airport’s use, size, history, etc included. |
| 6-10 | Some items are to scale and correct. Missing small parts of the airport. | Land around the airport is there but not custom to the airport the student builds. Some parts of the project show creativity with design and decorating. | Some innovation ideas or technology on the airport but it’s hard to notice. | 5 minutes long (+/- 3 minutes), little or no voice over or subtitles, little view of airport parts. |
| 11-15 | Most items are correct and to scale. All required parts of the airport are there. | The land around the airport is like the land at the real airport. Airport parts are easy to see and identify. | Some innovation ideas or technology on the airport but it may not all fit well. | 5 minutes long (+/- 2 minutes), with voice over or subtitles, shows more than half of the airport but may not explain factors like operation, history, and how the airport works. |
| 16-20 | All parts of the airport are there, correct, and to scale. | Land around the airport and all airport parts show a lot of effort, detail, and creativity. | Project has innovative ideas or technology, they’re easy to see, and they fit the airport well. | 5 minutes long (+/- 1 minute), is narrated, creative, and shows the viewer the whole airport and how it works. |
“The problem we see most is when students don’t follow the instructions! There is a system for how we score the projects in the rubric. Students should read that and check it!”
“My favorite projects are the ones where everything is to scale. When you can look down at the real airport online and then look at the Minecraft one and they look almost exactly the same, it’s amazing!”
You may participate either:
- As an individual
- As a group*
Note: Groups can have no more than five members.
*If you are part of a group, you will work together the whole time. Talk to your group often and try to finish the lessons together. Brainstorm, work together on your layouts, and share ideas!
The Skills to Succeed!
When you’re part of a team, there are some skills that help you succeed – like teamwork, commitment, communication, organization, and vision! On your own, complete the Set Up for Success activity, then talk about it with your group. That way, you’re ready to soar!
Get Inspired
Take a look at the 2024 winners and learn from the creativity and innovation demonstrated by these student teams.
A Word About Wings…
Pilot wings are small, metallic badges that pilots wear on their uniforms to show their training level and role. You could think of them like a pilot's version of a rank patch. Everyone starts with a basic set of wings after completing their first major level of flight training. This usually means they've proven they can safely fly and understand core aviation skills. The first wings show that the person is officially a pilot, even if they're still learning.
As pilots learn more, fly more, and finish harder training, their wings can get "fancier." For example, military pilots may earn special wings for different types of aircraft, like helicopters, cargo planes, or fighter jets. Some pilots also receive better wings for being leaders, passing hard tests, or hours of flight time. Airline pilots follow a similar idea: a first officer (copilot) might wear typical wings, while a captain's wings look more detailed or include extra markings. In short, as pilots grow in skill and responsibility, their wings change with them to show their progress. It's almost like leveling up in a game, but in real life!
As you progress through ADC, you'll earn your ADC wings! As you finish each module and add to your airport, you'll move through levels and earn the best ADC wings when you turn in your final project! You can find your current wings and progress on the webpage of each lesson, and on the front page of each workbook.
While your ADC wings won’t qualify you to fly, they do show that you’re qualified as an ADC designer! Take it one step at a time, and we’ll be cheering you on along the way! We can't wait to see what you learn and build!
Next Steps
- Test your knowledge with the Orientation Quiz!
- Then, move on to picking your airport and take off!
- Follow the six fun lessons, aiming to complete one every 1-2 weeks. Check them off as you go.
Let’s build, learn, and fly together!
Finished with your Workbook and ready to move on? Next up is Choosing Your Airport! You’ll earn your first set of wings when you finish that portion of the Challenge!
You’ve earned your first set of wings for completing Orientation! Keep going!
