Year 7 students at Erdington Academy put their creativity, teamwork and engineering skills to the test as they designed, built and flight‑tested their own model aircraft during an immersive STEM challenge held at the school.
Working in teams of six, students stepped into specialist roles; from design engineers and electronics leads to technical specialists and marketing executives, mirroring the collaborative approach used in real engineering industries.
The full‑day workshop was delivered by the Smallpeice Trust, a national charity known for creating hands‑on engineering experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence in young people, regardless of background. The event was generously funded by the academy’s longstanding partner Truflo Marine, whose support continues to strengthen Erdington Academy’s Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme.
Careers Lead Miss Millward praised the students for their focus and determination as they refined their aircraft designs and responded to technical challenges throughout the day.
“The Aeroplane Challenge was a fantastic opportunity for students to gain insight into engineering and related careers while experiencing the excitement of working on a real‑world design project.
The enthusiasm, teamwork and determination displayed by our Year 7 students were outstanding, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.”
A total of 60 students took part, developing not only their STEM knowledge but also key employability skills aligned with the Skills Builder Framework, including teamwork, communication, creativity and problem‑solving.
Miss Millward added her thanks to Rebecca Corbishley, who attended on behalf of Truflo Marine and supported students throughout the event.
“Her encouragement and engagement with students helped make the experience even more meaningful and inspiring.”
The academy also expressed its gratitude to both the Smallpeice Trust and Truflo Marine for their continued commitment to providing high‑quality STEM opportunities.
“Through partnerships like these, we can continue to enrich lives and transform futures, and inspire the next generation of engineers, innovators and problem‑solvers.”