Take Flight Challenge Day

The Take Flight Challenge Day is a full-day aerospace engineering experience for 100 Year 9 girls from across Cornwall, designed to give students meaningful insight into engineering careers through real-world learning.

Exploring Engineering in the Real World

The Take Flight Challenge Day has been developed in line with new government guidance on increasing high-quality work experience opportunities for young people. Rather than a traditional careers talk, the day gives students structured, meaningful insight into engineering through real-world applications.

By focusing on aerospace design through drones, a fast-growing and highly relevant area of engineering, the programme connects classroom learning to modern engineering careers. Drones provide an accessible way for students to explore core engineering concepts such as aerodynamics, systems thinking, design, and problem-solving, while also highlighting the wide range of roles involved in aerospace engineering.

The Challenge Day supports schools in meeting careers and work experience expectations by offering an engaging, curriculum-linked experience that helps students understand what engineering work involves and the pathways available into the sector.

What Will the Day Involve?

Talk

Girls will hear directly from local role models, learning about their careers, routes into aviation, aerospace and engineering, including what working in the sector is really like.

Explore

Students will explore different types of drone design, gaining insight into how drones are used, how they are engineered, and the skills involved in aerospace design and manufacturing.

Create

Girls will work through their own drone design challenge, applying core engineering principles such as aerodynamics, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.

Why It Matters

Research from TECgirls’ Attitudes Report shows that many girls are interested in engineering but lack awareness of what engineering careers look like or how to access them. The Take Flight Challenge Day addresses this gap by providing clear, relatable exposure to aerospace engineering and career pathways that are often not visible in Cornwall.

The programme prioritises participation from schools with high levels of disadvantage and pupil premium, ensuring that girls who may not otherwise access STEM enrichment or work experience can explore a future in engineering.