Road to RIAT: Blast Off!

An aircraft design challenge STEM day and a chance to win tickets for a VIP visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in July!

Secondary

Ages 11 to 14
In-school
8 January 2024 to 31 May 2024
Full day
Free

Run by The Smallpeice Trust.

Check availability

Road to RIAT: Blast Off! competition is delivered by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), in partnership with The Smallpeice Trust.

Aimed at secondary school students aged 11-14 based in Scotland, North West, North East, South West, West Midlands, and East Midlands.

Register your school in this comprehensive aircraft design challenge, run as a STEM Day by an external facilitator, and be in with a chance to win tickets to RIAT in July 2024.

Why should schools be involved?

Curriculum-aligned learning: This programme seamlessly integrates with the current curriculum, covering Maths, Science, English, Design & Technology, and PSHE.
Inspiring STEM education: This programme will spark students’ curiosity and foster a love for learning with the face-to-face aircraft design challenge STEM Day+ to be delivered by the end of May.
Free for schools: The entire programme is fully funded and supported by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, and the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).
Prestigious and rewarding: Challenges are mapped to the National Curriculum, Gatsby Benchmarks, Skills Builder Partnership, and the British Science Association CREST Discovery Award.
Prizes to be won! Road to RIAT: Blast Off! competition culminates as schools submit their 400-word written entry detailing why they should be selected to attend RIAT for a special VIP visit in July 2024! Each winning school will receive 6 students tickets, and the winners will participate in a space-themed challenge at RIAT, run by the RAF Youth STEM team and delivery partners.

How to register?

School registration is easy, simply email: [email protected]

Places are limited and will fill up fast.

Learning outcomes

Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering

Subjects and topics

- Design and Technology
- Engineering
- Maths
- Physics
- Electronics, robotics and programming
- Energy and environment
- General engineering
- Materials, products and manufacturing
- Mechanical engineering, systems and processes
- Space and aerospace engineering
- Structures, construction and civil engineering
- Transport

Gatsby benchmarks

The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:

Linking curriculum learning to careers
Encounters with employers and employees

Essential skills

The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:

Creativity - the use of imagination and the generation of new ideas.
Problem solving - the ability to find a solution to a complex situation or challenge.