Schools Air Race Challenge 2025/26
Following the enormous success of the Schools Air Race Challenge 2022 and 2023, we are excited to announce the return of the Schools Air Race Challenge for academic year 2025-2026!
In the last challenges we have had over 3000 pupils across Scotland take part and they took it to the skies with some fantastic work (see our 2022 grand prize entries here) and this year we want to see what you can do!
Competition Details
By participating in the challenge pupils will explore the principles of flight, engineering, forces, organising and displaying data, problem solving and design. We know that pupils will develop great teamwork and collaboration skills with fellow class members and teachers.
Most of all we hope that all have FUN while exploring the challenges and want to take learning further. We will provide several resources and lesson ideas to support further investigation over and above the challenge requirement and allow you and your pupils to fly high!
Main Competition
A select number of classes or groups that qualify for the full competition will be contacted and sent out kit to allow them to take part in the main challenge. Schools will receive two remote controlled quadcopters (per school), with which to complete a series of challenges. By providing video and images of evidence schools will compete to win a fantastic winner’s day out in summer term 2026. This day may include flights in our own light aircraft for some lucky pupils! (T’s & C’s and weather conditions depending).
*Please note depending on geographical location of the winning class, the final prize may vary. We will tailor a flight themed day out for your pupils.
Planned Competition Timeline (Dates may vary slightly)
Initial entry – by Friday 10th October 2025
Final participants announced – Friday 31st October 2025
Kit sent to participating schools – November 2025
FINAL entries – by Friday 27th March 2026
WINNERS Announced – by Friday 24th April
Winners Celebration Event – May/June 2026
If that wasn’t exciting enough, all participating pupils will also be automatically eligible for a Young STEM Leader Award provided by our fantastic partners at SERCC. The Young STEM Leader Programme (YSLP) is an exciting new award which aims to spark greater interest and participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among young people in Scotland.
Young people have the chance to inspire, lead and mentor their peers through the creation and delivery of STEM activities and events within their schools, communities, or youth groups.
The key aim of the YSLP is to facilitate the development of peer STEM role models to inspire more young people to develop an interest in STEM.
Participants in the Air Race Challenge programme can achieve an automatic Young STEM Leader award at Curriculum for Excellence Second or Third Level for their successful completion of the programme.
To submit your pupils for a Young STEM Leader award, please read, complete, and submit the relevant auto-award agreement received with your competition pack. If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Aero Space Kinross directly.
To find out more about the Young STEM Leader Programme and start delivering it in your centre, visit www.youngstemleader.scot
Air Race Challenge 2022 Testimonials
“(We learned) Loads! All pupils had an opportunity to fly the drones, many had never flown one before. The children also learned so much about the aeronautical industry such as, jobs at an airport, space travel, how to fly planes, how to train to be a pilot, research into inspirational people. All this was something we would not otherwise have looked at this year in Primary 7. This was a very organised and well-run STEM challenge for Upper Primary. Hannah has been excellent!” Bearsden Primary School
“The pupils learned that there are a huge variety of careers within the aviation industry and how our forces topic is linked to everyday life.”
St Margaret’s RC High School
“We learned about different careers in aviation and linked these to how everyone can find a space within this industry – they really enjoyed the video of the pilot. The pupils took the learning deeper; we explored lots of influential people in aviation from the past and the current time. They wanted to explore why drones flew as well as different forces which affect different aircraft. There was SOOOO much learning within the project. They learned to manage their time as it is very difficult to find space within the school to fly drones and we planned where and when we could fly/participate in flight. They were able to recognise how to manage risk and apply this to others who may be passing through our flight space.”
Meiklemill Primary School
“They developed their communication and teamwork as they were working in a team with people they wouldn’t usually work with. They also developed their presentation skills, researching, engineering and creativity.”
Renfrew High School
“Pupils worked in pairs when flying the drones. All pupils were able to participate, with a range of significant learning needs in the class. The different sections of the course appealed to different strengths e.g., design, research, practical.”
Crossgates Primary School
Please rate pupil’s overall enjoyment of the challenge
Do pupils feel they have more of an understanding of engineering in the context of Aviation and Aeronautics following the challenge?
If you have any questions, to enter the competition or to find out more about the challenge, please contact our team via email at scienceeducator@aerospacekinross.com
