What do you get when you cross Dendrite with the RAF?

What do you get when you cross Dendrite with the RAF? The most exciting STEAM challenge of the year – FLY TO THE LINE. The children in Year 4 have enjoyed taking part in this project, the aim of which was to design and build a glider from an A3 sized piece of foam board. The project culminated in a “who could fly the furthest” test. Charley, Aryan and George’s team were victorious and as a result won a spot in the South East Regional Finals. On Monday, fresh from a well earned half-term, they travelled (chaperoned by Mr Andrews) to Lashenden Air Museum, Headcorn, to pit their construction skills against the other school winners from the South East.

The boys were given a tour of the museum and then two hours to build a foam glider from scratch – to ensure teacher participation was at a minimum. The boys were a little hot under the collar when they were informed only 15 minutes were left and they were yet to cut out their creation. Having spent a lot of time measuring, working out how to use carbon paper and watching helicopters and planes taking off and landing from the hangar they were working in it was a dash to get their design completed. As the finishing klaxon sounded the team skipped off to lunch excited about the afternoon tests. There was one main difference in the regional final – instead of throwing the glider – it was being launched from a Dendrite-made device. Each school was given one test flight and then three counting flights. After the first round, St Faith’s were leading with a glide of 6.51 metres. The boys were obviously excited and it was a nail-biting final two rounds as St Faith’s failed to improve on their impressive first round glide. With the top three teams progressing to the National Finals held at RAF Gosford, the boys knew they were in with a chance. Thankfully, their first glide was enough for them to claim 2nd place overall and a spot in the National Finals!