2010 Lead Schools Three and Four announced at Futures Day, Farnborough International Air Show, 23 July
Congratulations to Bridge Learning Campus, Bristol and Ercall Wood Technology School, Telford who were announced as the next two lead schools (subject to terms and conditions) for aircraft builds three and four of our Challenge at Futures Day, 23 July 2010. We look forward to bringing you updates later this year!
The Yateley team had a fantastic response to their aircraft display at Futures Day and during the public weekend at this year's Farnborough International Air Show and we hope it inspired many of you to get more involved in aviation and engineering. Watch this space for details on progress of both Yateley and Marling School, and if you would like to know more about the project please contact us at: buildaplane@aerosociety.com.
More about the Challange
The Royal Aeronautical Society and the Boeing Company launched an ambitious new project – the Schools Build-a-Plane Challenge – in 2008.
The project aims to provide young people in UK secondary schools with the opportunity to build a real light aircraft from kit and give them hands-on experience of the aircraft build process, understanding along the way the scientific and engineering principles behind flight, as well as developing commercial skills such as project management, problem-solving, team work and communication, with the ultimate aim of taking a flight in the aircraft once it is complete.
Project aims:
- Motivate young people in the areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through a real-life experience
- Encourage young people’s awareness of the aerospace and aviation sectors, demonstrating their economic importance, and the wide array of related career paths that the sector offers
- Enhance RAeS’ and Boeing’s links with the local community
- Inspire teachers and promote interest in STEM subjects across the teaching community
Schools will be encouraged to bid for building the aircraft kits as a consortium to enable as wide participation as possible and will also be asked to play a key role in disseminating the project to other young people in their areas including underrepresented groups and those in disadvantaged areas.
The Royal Aeronautical Society has established a project management group consisting of volunteers from senior ranks of the Society’s membership.
Look out for news on the challenge – the schools taking part, the aircraft build progress and how their views on aerospace and aviation and related STEM subjects evolve!
The Challenge now involves four lead schools from around the UK and will go into 2011 and beyond. Judging by the levels of enthusiasm shown by those involved so far with the first two successful schools, the Build a Plane project is set fair to generate a great deal of interest in aviation in all its aspects over the next few years. The Society is most grateful to Boeing for their generous sponsorship of this project and to the LAA for their invaluable support.
Contacts:
Email: buildaplane@aerosociety.com
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7670 4325/6
Downloads
MAY 2010: YATELEY PROJECT DEDICATED WEBSITE
Did you know that Yateley School in Hampshire, and their local partner schools Court Moor and Kings College, have a fantastic website with progress blogs, Facebook links, a photo gallery and dates of when the aircraft will be exhibiting around the UK? For more info, visit:
http://www.ykcbuildsaplane.co.uk/
