Local schools develop key science and engineering skills with Royal Navy

March 2017 at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton has seen STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) students visit, participating in events to develop their skills in engineering in the world of aviation.

The Flying Start Challenge is an engineering competition in the South West of England run by eight high profile aerospace companies. It is held for students at local schools to help them develop key skills and increase awareness of the excellent careers available in Engineering.

Year 9 pupils have recently enjoyed a day designing, building and testing gliders as part of this Challenge and RNAS Yeovilton and the Fleet Air Arm Museum alongside Royal Navy Engineering Personnel have been delighted to guide and encourage.

As well as expanding their knowledge of the aviation industry, pupils learnt about the physics of flight, how to operate as engineers and practise their budgeting skills. 

The pupils tested their creations in the Stations gymnasium during the Regional Finals at the end of February 2017 and at the National Final in the FAA Museum Carrier Deck Hangar this month.

First prize is £1000 worth of science equipment for the school along with a flight in a real glider!

The teams put in a sterling effort with some excellent flights recorded, the winner over 29 meters!

Congratulations to the winning team from Clifton High School with team ‘Pring-maggedon mk2’ with a distance of 29.6 meters beating last year’s 28.3m.

The Flying Hippies’ came 2^nd also from Clifton High School and 3^rd team ‘Rapide’ from Malmesbury School.