MPs encourage local schools to infinity with national Rocketry Competition
At an event at the House of Commons, around 30 MPs were encouraged to engage schools in their constituency with the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKRoC) - the UK’s largest youth model rocket competition, now in its 11th year.
The MPs were joined by students from Abbeyfield School of Chippenham, and James Hornby School of Essex, who demonstrated their winning rockets from previous competitions. Both schools have been UK champions.
The national champions of the competition win an all-expenses paid trip to Paris to represent the UK in a fly off against teams from the USA, Japan and France at the Paris International Airshow in June 2017.
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of ADS Group said “If the UK is to succeed in tough global markets we need more young people equipped and excited by today and tomorrow’s great engineering challenges. It is fantastic to see MPs supporting the launch of the UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge. Working with schools the competition is a creative way to put science, technology, engineering and maths to practical use.”
The aerospace and space industries collectively employ 162,000 people across the UK, at companies such as Airbus, BAE Systems, GKN, Lockheed Martin, MBDA and Rolls Royce. UKRoC is a great introduction to the skills used by many of these organisations which provide high-value careers.
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Notes to Editors
Pictures from the event can be viewed here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskQNNb77
The UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKRoC) is a free national competition to enthuse more young people about the subjects needed in aerospace, defence, security and space industries - science, technology, engineering and maths. Organised annually by ADS, UK’s largest youth model rocket competition is now in its 11th year.
The Challenge is aimed at students aged 11 – 18 from secondary schools, colleges and/or higher education to design, build and launch a model rocket with two raw eggs. The rocket must reach 775 feet with a specific target flight duration of 41-43 seconds.
Designed to encourage teamwork, creativity and innovation, UKRoC enables young people to gain practical insight into how science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects are used by the aerospace, defence and space industries. The competition demonstrates the value of studying STEM subjects which can lead to rewarding and successful careers.
Why enter?
- Cash prizes, certificates and awards for winning teams, and their associated youth group/school
- Supported by the aviation and rocketry industry – British Astronaut Tim Peake, TV presenter Dallas Campbell, American Astronaut Al Worden and industry representatives from Airbus Group Ltd, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and UTC all attended rocketry events last year.
- The UK team (and adults) will receive a paid-for trip to Paris International Airshow to compete.ADS will cover accommodation, lunches in VIP chalets, an exclusive dinner and entertainment, exclusive trade access to the Airshow on a non-public day.
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