On Monday 4th March 2024, Clifton High School’s Flying Start Team DFM (Dynamic Flying Machine) consisting of Year 9 pupils Willis, George, Julia and Bettie with the support of Mr Paul Griffin, Head of Physics, made their way to the Southwest regional ‘Flying Start Challenge’ finals at The University of the West of England’s (UWE) School of Engineering.
What is The Flying Start Challenge?
The Flying Start Challenge is a renowned engineering competition, established to develop key skills and increase awareness of the careers available within the engineering industry. Its aim is for teams of four students to collaborate on the design, build and test of a model glider in order to compete in a regional schools’ ‘Fly-Off’. Mentored by leading advisers in the aerospace industry, including the main sponsor Leonardo UK, school teams fly their glider and are judged on the distance flown alongside a poster presentation detailing their design decisions.
Team DFM’s advancement in progressing to the regional stage of the Flying Start Challenge, was fuelled with a blend of nervous excitement, heightened by the anticipation of competing alongside children from other local schools who were already familiar with their reputation. Whilst the pressure felt real, they were reassured by the organisers that the true winning lay in having fun with a focus on team collaboration!
On your marks… get set... challenge…
The pupils’ first challenge, utilising the combination of masking tape and its cardboard roll, was a clear winner as they created a tower structure over 2 meters high.
Secondly, teams were challenged to build a balloon car. Team DFM worked efficiently to carefully consider the fundamentals required to ensure their entry was a triumph! Julia sacrificed her lip gloss to grease the car’s wheels and reduce friction whilst George used his lung power to blow up the largest possible balloon. With a 9m distance lead and reaching over 12m compared to the nearest rival of 3m, Team DFM’s rocket car shot to victory!
Delivering their glider poster presentation was the third challenge of the day as they exhibited to an audience of professional engineers. Their nerves dissipated as their confidence and composure grew; Bettie discussed the design elements; Julie clarified the component selection and Willis explored the principles of gliding and the modifications implemented in their model. It was a thorough and calm presentation that clearly showcased their collaborative approach and enthusiasm in the Flying Start Challenge.
All teams welcomed some free time to take advantage of in-house engineering projects and simulators including flying a plane, driving a formula 3 car, and donning virtual 3D headsets to view a house from a design and engineering perspective as well as be introduced to some of the latest robotics and engineering manufacturing teaching.
The Grand Fly-Off Challenge
The Grand Fly-Off was the final challenge of the day and Clifton High School were well prepared – having had the foresight to bring along a gliding first aid kit! With George at the helm of Team DFM’s first flight, he quickly broke the day’s record of over 10m, to achieve a 15m glide that veered slightly to the left. With a second chance, the pupils chose to add weights to the glider’s right wing which resulted in a much straighter and even further flight – achieving over 20m. There was contagious enthusiasm in the hall from all schools and Clifton High School pupils were collegial in supporting other teams and offering their first aid kit to help their opponents’ gliders.
After the last glider was recorded, the teams returned to the main hall for a VIP talk on engineering and the much-anticipated announcements on those top 5 entries through to the National Championship. Clifton High School’s Team DFM were delighted to be awarded first place and announced as over-all winners of the Southwest Regional ‘Flying Start’ Challenge, each winning a remote-controlled helicopter.
Well Done Team DFM!
We are incredibly proud of Willis, Bettie, George and Julia, not only in their remarkable performance but also in their attitude and spirit whilst showing a unified approach to other participating teams. We wish them all the very best for the forthcoming ‘Grand Final’.
