The Learning Grid

Now in its 8th year, the Flying Start Challenge is a school competition run by engineering companies and organisations in the South West of England where pupils design and build a hand-powered glider. It is open to Years 7 to 9 pupils from local schools who, as part of an after-school club or design & technology project, work in teams (from October to March) to design, build and test a model glider. Graduate engineers from sponsoring companies come to the school to give lessons and support the pupils through continued visits to the school as their designs come together.

The challenge is aimed at introducing pupils to aerospace engineering, to encourage their creativity and to enable them to think not just about the design but about how to budget properly. They will learn how to plan and achieve milestones and the methods of running an engineering project, skills much in demand in today’s competitive engineering arena. Local schools then compete at regional heats held in the Gloucester/Cheltenham, Bristol and Yeovil areas. Each team is judged not only on their glider’s performance but also on a presentation about their design and team organisation – it’s not just about the glider that travels the farthest. Working at key stage 3, this is an excellent comparison to the real world where teams are judged on not just their end product but also the accompanying work.

The grand final takes place at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, where teams and their classmates compete in a variety of engineering activities for bonus prizes, both for themselves and their schools. Last year’s final was hosted by Captain Mike Bannister, ex chief pilot of BA Concorde, and Richard Noble OBE who led the Thrust SSC project. The event was a huge success and the next promises to be even more exciting!

It has had fantastic responses from both teachers and pupils and welcomes new schools every year. It is a great way for pupils to learn creatively about the mechanics of flight and develop their practical and team working skills – whilst having fun! It is also an opportunity for schools to forge links with local industry and hopefully to encourage young people to consider a career in engineering.

Sponsors: