Farry Commends NI Aerospace Students

Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry has congratulated Northern Ireland's budding astronauts at the regional final of the UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge.

The aim of the competition is to encourage young people to enter the world of aerospace and science.

Eight local secondary schools took part and were given a realistic experience in designing a flying aerospace vehicle to a specified set of mission and performance requirements.

14 teams had to design, construct and successfully launch a rocket, carrying a raw, medium size hen's eggs to an altitude of 750ft in a rocket weighing no more than 650 grams, and return the egg safely to ground within 48 to 50 seconds using a single 15 inch parachute.

The competition was won by Longstone School (team 2) from Dundonald.

Speaking at the competition at RLC Langford Lodge Engineering Group in Crumlin, the Minister said: "Inspiring our young people to be excited about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects is vital for Northern Ireland’s future success. This initiative fits well with a number of my Department’s key priorities – meeting the need for people with higher level skills as identified in our Skills Strategy, increasing the number of postgraduates in STEM subjects, and supporting more economically relevant activity as highlighted in the Department’s Higher Education Strategy.

"I recently announced that my Department will provide funding for 20 bursaries for new graduates and employees wishing to study Masters level degrees in aerospace engineering. Queen’s University, which has a track record of research excellence in aeronautical engineering, is seeking accreditation from the Royal Aeronautical Society to introduce a new Aerospace MSc from October 2013. The University of Ulster also plan to develop a unique Aerospace MSc programme capitalising on their advanced research experience and complimenting that of QUB and the new Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering centre."

The winning team will travel to the National Finals of the UK Rocketry Challenge where they will compete for a place at the global finals at the Paris Airshow in June.

The winner of the National Finals will represent the UK at the International Rocketry Challenge against the US and French winning teams at the Paris Airshow in June.

(IT)