Rockwall-Heath School from USA is 2011 International Schools Rocket Champion
Worksop College from the UK second & College Leonard de Vinci-St Aubin from France in third
PARIS, June 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2011 Paris Airshow played host today (Friday) to the annual international schools rocketry challenge between the national champions of France, the United Kingdom and the United States. The contest encourages students to prepare for careers in the aerospace industry, which is working to boost the numbers of students with science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills.
Teams have to design, construct and successfully launch a rocket, carrying one raw medium size hen's egg to an altitude of 750 feet (229 meters) with a flight time between 40-45 seconds, then return the egg and altimeter payload section safely and undamaged to earth, using only a 15 inch (38cm) parachute. The challenge provides student teams of 3 to 5 members, aged 11-18 yrs a realistic experience in designing a flying aerospace vehicle that meets a specified set of mission and performance requirements. Students have to work together in teams, just as aerospace engineers do. It is not intended to be easy, but it is well within the capabilities of the students who have a good background in science and mathematics and craftsmanship skills.
This year's winners were ROCKWALL-HEATH school from USA with a score of 5, representing a height of 745 feet (227 meters) and a duration of 43.15 seconds. A perfect score would be 0.
The schools taking part in today's international rocketry challenge final were:
- Newly-crowned French national winners from earlier this week (http://www.salon-du-bourget.fr/fr/presse/kit-media).
- UK champions Worksop College (see http://is.gd/ukayroc2011).
- US national finals winners Rockwall-Heath High School from Heath, Texas (see http://is.gd/tarc2011).
The USA were reigning international champions following their triumph at the 2010 Farnborough International Airshow, the first time that the competition had been expanded to include French participation. Winners in 2008 and 2009 were from the UK.
AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey said:
"We congratulate Rockwall-Heath School on winning the competition. The effort and enthusiasm all three teams brought to the contest is a great sign for the future workforce of our global industry."
Graham Chisnall, Managing Director of Aerospace and Operations of A|D|S, said:
"Congratulations go to today's winners for their triumph and well done also to the runner-up teams. A great deal of work has gone into making today such a success not only by the students but also by the national organisers and by GIFAS as part of the airshow. Our industry's future is in good hands if these young people are anything to go by. I look forward to welcoming the competitors to the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow for the next international finals, which will be a good global competition to act as a curtain-raiser for the London Olympics."
Guy Rupied, Managing Director of GIFAS, said:
"Many congratulations to the US winners of this international competition that we have been pleased and proud to organize as part of the Paris Air Show. I am certain that the media impact of this event will help to make science in general and the space activities in particular, more attractive to a wide audience of young people. I wish this educational programme, and its organizers-particularly Planete Sciences in France- every success."
Sponsors of the event are:
- France - SAFRAN.
- UK – Platinum sponsor, Chemring Group PLC & Gold sponsor Rolls-Royce PLC.
- U.S. – Platinum sponsor, Raytheon.
- France contact: Patrick Guerin, GIFAS - Telephone: +33 1 44 43 17 50 / Email: [email protected]
- USA contact: Alexis Allen, AIA - Telephone: +1 703 358 1075 / Cell: +1 703 362 0682 / Email: [email protected]
- UK contact: Matthew Knowles, A|D|S - Telephone: +44 20 7091 4538 / Mobile: +44 7595 863 749 / Email: [email protected]. A|D|S is also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ADSgroupUK
Notes to Editors:
- A|D|S is the trade organisation advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space industries with Farnborough International Limited as a wholly-owned subsidiary. A|D|S also encompasses the British Aviation Group (BAG). It was formed from the merger of the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers (APPSS), the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) and the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) in October 2009. For more information see www.adsgroup.org.uk.
- Founded in 1919 shortly after the birth of flight, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is the most authoritative and influential trade association representing the leading U.S. manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, space systems, aircraft engines, missiles, homeland and cybersecurity systems, materiel and related components, equipment services and information technology. For more information please go to www.aia-aerospace.org.
- GIFAS, the French aerospace industries association, has more than 260 members, from major prime contractors and system suppliers to small specialist companies. They cover the full spectrum of skills from the design, development and production of aerospace systems and equipment to maintenance and operation. Activities extend from civil and military aircraft and helicopters to engines, missiles and armament, satellites and launch vehicles, plus aerospace, defence and security major systems, equipment, subassemblies and associated software. For more information please go to www.gifas.fr.
- Planete Sciences is a non-profit organization involved in scientific and technological mediation of young people for almost 50 years. The association is made of 80 employees, 1,000 specialized presenters and 1,000 volunteers. 700 clubs, 350 schools and 1,000 young people profit from all the activities organized by Planete Sciences each year. Since 1962, with the support of the French Space Agency, CNES, the association supervises the construction of rockets by "youth space clubs." For more information please go to www.planete-sciences.org.
SOURCE Aerospace Industries Association
Share this article