AeroTech Challenge

Entries will be screened to ensure they meet the entry criteria. Entrants, supported by their teacher, should make a video of maximum 5 minutes length which should capture the different stages of their project - initial brainstorming of ideas, background research, prototype development, design and decoration, testing and problem solving. The video should include testing and measuring of the distance travelled by the aircraft in line with the instructions in the Testing section. The video should be submitted in advance of the judging session. Students should also prepare a PowerPoint presentation of up to ten minutes length on their background research, STEM leaning about aircraft design and factors affecting flight, design experimentation, prototyping and construction process. The students will deliver their presentation via Microsoft Teams meeting to the judges, to help develop confidence, communication and presentation skills. The judges will ask questions about the aircraft, launching device and STEM learning. All members of a team should take part in the presentation.

Please make sure that (i) the aircraft and launching device are only made from materials from the Materials List (ii) the aircraft does not exceed the weight limit (iii) the launching device does not exceed the maximum dimensions. Flight testing should be done indoors wherever possible to avoid the effect of windspeed on distance travelled. Please mark a launch line on the floor and place the launching device behind this. Launch the aircraft three times and measure the longest distance out of three attempts in metres and centimetres. Measure the distance travelled in a straight line from the 'launch line' to the nearest point of the aircraft. Any extra distance gained by the aircraft skidding along the ground should not be counted. Remember to film the testing and measuring as part of the video summary.

Up to 30 marks for the distance covered by the aircraft

Up to 20 marks for STEM learning into aircraft design and factors affecting flight including forces, gravity and resistance

Up to 20 marks for design and construction including material experimentation, prototyping, design modifications and overcoming problems and challenges

Up to 15 marks for visual appearance/aesthetics of the aircraft

Up to 15 marks for the presentation and video

Total marks available = 100

The students’ year group will be taken into account when awarding marks.

Judges will select 4-6 finalists who will be invited to attend the virtual 3M Young Innovators Challenge presentation event on Thursday 10 June, 2021.

£750 of science equipment for school use plus a £50 gift voucher for the winning individual or team member. All finalists and their schools will receive a framed certificate.

All entrants will receive a certificate of entry and personalised feedback from the judges.

Links to Science Curriculum (England)

Year 3

Forces and magnets

compare how things move on different surfaces

Year 5

Forces

explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object

identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces

recognise that some mechanisms, including levers, pulleys and gears, allow a smaller force to have a greater effect

Links to Design and Technology Curriculum (England)

Key stage 2

When designing and making, pupils should be taught to:

Design

generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design

Make

select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately

select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities

Technical knowledge

apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures

Links to Mathematics Curriculum (England)

Measures of distance, mass and angle, scale drawing, 2D and 3D shapes