Wiltshire schoolchildren take second place in international rocketry final

A team of students from Abbeyfield School in Chippenham have come second at this year’s International Youth Rocketry Championship, competing against teams from the United States, Japan, Ukraine and France, having secured their place in the final after beating 126 schools in the UK Rocketry Challenge (UKROC).

At this year’s final, Interlake High School from the United States were crowned the competition’s winners.

First place: United States – Interlake High School
Second place: United Kingdom – Abbeyfield School
Third place: France – College Françoise Dolto
Fourth place: Japan – Amagasakisosei High School
Fifth place: Ukraine – Nosphere Engineering School

The International Youth Rocketry Competition sees teams of students from each country tasked with designing, building and launching a model rocket carrying a fragile payload: a raw egg.

Abbeyfield School students won the opportunity to represent the UK at the international finals after claiming victory over 126 schools and youth clubs in the UK Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) earlier this year.

Engaging young engineers

The event took place as part of Farnborough International Airshow’s Pioneers of Tomorrow, a day dedicated to STEM-focused events designed to inspire and engage the next generation of aerospace leaders.

Kevin Craven, ADS CEO said: “Congratulations to Abbeyfield School for their remarkable efforts, a testament to the UK’s young engineering talent. The UK Rocketry Challenge and its international counterpart are powerful examples of how our sectors are inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

“Farnborough International Airshow’s Pioneers of Tomorrow programme has provided the perfect stage to celebrate the creativity, innovation and technical skills demonstrated by these students and we look forward to seeing how they will help shape the future of our industries.”

Kata Escott, Managing Director at Airbus Defence and Space and ADS VP for Space, commented: “Huge congratulations to Abbeyfield School for their impressive effort – and to all the students that took part in this year’s fiercely contested international final. We are proud to support initiatives that inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists, helping young people discover just how exciting and rewarding a career in the space sector can be.”

The UK competition – and the UK’s participation in the international final – was organised by ADS, the UK trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors and sponsored by industry partners Airbus, Frankenburg Technologies and Saab UK.

UK Rocketry Challenge

The UK Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) is a national competition for young people aged 11 – 18 from any secondary schools, colleges, educational facilities or youth groups to design, build and launch a model rocket with a fragile payload. Promoting STEM, creativity, innovation and crucial life skills, it is a great way for young people to gain hands-on engineering and presentation skills. Exploring aerospace, aviation and space, UKROC acts as an extension to what students are already learning in Science, Technology and Maths. This helps to equip young people with the right knowledge and transferable skills for a career in ADS’ four sectors.