Organised through collaboration between DYW colleagues across Fife, the workshop was designed to increase awareness of STEM pathways and help pupils understand how the skills they develop in school can be applied within engineering and technology careers.

Bringing Engineering to Life

The challenge tasked S3 Practical Science pupils with designing, building and testing their own aircraft using balsa wood. Working in small teams, pupils were encouraged to think like engineers by planning, constructing and refining their designs while considering factors such as performance, sustainability and intended purpose.

Throughout the day, learners took on specific company-style roles including:

• Marketing Lead
• Electrical Engineer
• Project Manager
• Financial Manager

This allowed pupils to experience the different responsibilities found within real engineering teams while developing communication, leadership and decision-making skills.

Developing Workplace Skills Through Practical Learning

The workshop combined technical learning with enterprise and teamwork. Pupils carried out research and development activities before using their findings to design and construct their aircraft.

Once completed, teams took part in outdoor flight trials where they tested their aircraft and evaluated performance. Learners then analysed their results, identified improvements and adapted their designs accordingly.

To complete the challenge, each team delivered a presentation explaining their company structure, design process and key findings.

The experience helped pupils build confidence while strengthening a range of essential employability skills including:

• Teamwork and collaboration
• Communication and presentation skills
• Problem-solving
• Creativity and innovation
• Leadership
• Critical thinking

Learning from Industry-Led Experiences

The event was delivered by the MacRobert Trust and Smallpeice Trust, organisations committed to inspiring young people to explore STEM subjects and careers.

By engaging with a practical engineering challenge, pupils gained a better understanding of the skills required within modern engineering industries and experienced how science and mathematics are applied in real-world situations.

The workshop also demonstrated the importance of enterprise skills in engineering, encouraging learners to think about project planning, team roles and the business considerations involved in product development.

What Pupils Said

Feedback from learners highlighted how much they enjoyed the practical nature of the workshop.

Lucy, S3, said:

“It was fun building the models and using the different tools.”

Jamie, S3, commented:

“I really enjoyed the day, I am super tired now!”

Arran, S3, added:

“It was good fun trying some stuff we have been learning about in Physics and putting it into action.”

The comments reflected the enthusiasm pupils felt when applying classroom learning to a hands-on challenge.

Building Confidence and Leadership

One of the most positive outcomes observed by staff was the opportunity for pupils to develop leadership skills in a new environment.

Teachers noted that several learners stepped into leadership roles that they would not normally adopt within a classroom setting. The workshop gave them the confidence to take responsibility, contribute ideas and support their peers as they worked towards a shared goal.

The final presentations were also a significant achievement. While many pupils initially found the prospect of presenting their work daunting, they demonstrated resilience and determination in overcoming their nerves.

Staff were impressed by the quality of the presentations, which were described as clear, engaging and well-structured.

Impact and Outcomes

The Physics of Flight STEM Workshop delivered a range of positive outcomes for participating pupils, including:

• Increased awareness of engineering and STEM careers.
• Improved teamwork and communication skills.
• Development of leadership and problem-solving abilities.
• Greater confidence in presenting ideas to others.
• Increased understanding of engineering design processes.
• Opportunities to apply classroom learning in a practical setting.
• Enhanced creativity, innovation and resilience.

The workshop demonstrated the value of employer and industry engagement in helping young people understand how their learning connects to future careers. By combining science, engineering, enterprise and teamwork, the event provided pupils with an inspiring and memorable experience that encouraged them to think more broadly about opportunities within STEM industries.