Schoolchildren in Cheltenham were tasked with creating a new sustainable aircraft as part of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT)’s Road to RIAT programme.
More than 50 children at Naunton Park Primary School took part in the session, where they were asked to design a new aircraft of the future as part of a national competition, which culminates at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in July this year.
The Gloucestershire youngsters will see their entries pitted against pupils from across the country, with RAFCT, parent charity of RIAT estimating over 35,000 young people will be taking part in the competition.
The free programme, which has been running since 2020 in partnership with RAF Youth STEM and The Smallpeice Trust, is part of a wider portfolio made possible by RAFCT as they aim to inspire young people to fulfil their potential in air, space and technology.
Mike Steward, Deputy Headteacher at Naunton Primary School, said: “Sessions such as these are so valuable for children, enabling them to interact with experts in STEM.
“The competitive element really engages and inspires them as well as developing their resilience which can then be transferred to other areas of their lives.”
Last year RAFCT, the UK-wide charity based in Gloucestershire, agreed over 15 partnerships with different organisations, as they continue to reach more and more young people.
In 2022 the charity announced it was aiming to reach 500,000 young people by this summer, however, they have already surpassed their initial target, reaching over 750,000 with almost six months to go.
Hannah Hickman, Grant Relationship Manager at RAFCT, said: “We’re delighted to see Road to RIAT continuing to grow, with 600 primary schools taking part across the UK this year.
“As our flagship Key Stage 2 initiative, it perfectly demonstrates how RAFCT’s work, powered by RIAT, creates impact far beyond the showground, bringing the excitement of aviation and space straight into classrooms across the UK.
“The programme reflects RAFCT’s commitment to tackling the national skills gap by inspiring young people from the age of five to explore their potential in air, space, and technology, and to consider future pathways into STEM careers.”
