Twelve Year 12 learners from The JCB Academy Sixth Form recently took part in the UK Space Design Competition, a prestigious national challenge that immerses students in the interdisciplinary world of engineering, science, and business. The competition is designed to simulate real-life industry scenarios, encouraging learners to work collaboratively to solve complex technical problems.
As part of the brief, teams were tasked with designing a spacecraft capable of delivering cargo. Learners were required to interpret a detailed client specification, develop innovative engineering and business solutions, and present their final concept to a judging panel made up of experts from industry, academia, and business.
Our Sixth Form learners collaborated with eight students from another school to form a combined team, competing against a number of regional groups. Throughout the challenge, they demonstrated exceptional teamwork, creativity, and resilience while working under strict time pressure to design and justify their spacecraft.
The team performed extremely well and came close to securing a place in the national finals, reflecting the quality of their engineering thinking and communication. More importantly, the competition provided valuable experience in:
- Large-scale systems engineering
- Realistic design and planning processes
- STEM communication and presentation skills
- Interdisciplinary teamwork
- Applying scientific and mathematical principles to solve authentic problems
Learners have already expressed enthusiasm for returning to the competition next year, building on the knowledge and experience gained from this year’s event.
The UK Space Design Competition offers an inspiring opportunity for young engineers and business leaders to understand the demands of industry and to develop the skills required for high-level STEM careers.
More information about the competition can be found at:
https://uksdc.org/competition-overview-2/