Three Loughborough Grammar School pupils were delighted to be named winners of East Midlands Airport’s Flying in The Future design competition, with two other pupils chosen as runners up. Out of a field of over 120 entries from 18 schools around the East Midlands area, we were proud to see the designs our pupils submitted shine through.
Last term, Year 9 pupils were challenged by the Design and Technology department to enter the design competition which was launched by East Midlands Airport to celebrate its 60th anniversary. Pupils were asked to capture their ideas of what flying will be like 60 years in the future in their competition entry. The innovative winning submissions highlighted ideas around sustainability and looked at the different, futuristic ways that plane designs could be made more aerodynamic to reduce fuel consumption without affecting the aircraft’s speed.
As a result of winning the competition, Ebubechi and Majdul, were invited to a special civic celebration hosted by East Midlands Airport to be interviewed about their designs, ideas and competition experience in front of an audience of local dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, the CEO of East Midlands Airport, and local High Sheriffs and Councillors.
Competition winner, Ebubechi, said: “I was excited to be selected as a winner because it was something I’d put a lot of effort into and to find out that I’d won was great. It was nerve-wracking talking to local dignitaries at the civic event but a great opportunity to talk about our designs and a memorable experience.”
All winners and runners-up were also invited to an exclusive visit to East Midlands Airport’s education centre, Aerozone, in the Easter holidays. They had the insightful opportunity to explore the world of aviation and take part in a range of interactive activities, including workshops and simulator experiences. The celebration event also included a landside tour of the airport, police and fire station, an award ceremony, and the chance to see their work on display in the airport’s Check In Hall.
Head of Design and Technology, Mr Todd Moseley, said: “We are always keen to encourage pupils to see how the subject of Design and Technology applies to the ‘real-world.’ With designers and engineers influencing our lives through the objects we use daily, it is essential that pupils see the significant impact the subject has. The ‘Flying in The Future’ design competition provided an excellent opportunity for the pupils to see just that. Through their imagination and application of technology, I was incredibly impressed by their entries and absolutely thrilled that so many were selected as finalists. It was wonderful to see their hard work be rewarded.”
