School children from across Northern Ireland reached for the sky at the final of Bombardier’s annual Flight Experience Challenge, held at the W5 Science and Discovery Centre in Odyssey, Belfast.

Linked to Bombardier’s extensive educational outreach, which supports the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme in Northern Ireland’s schools, the competition provides a practical learning experience for young people.

Our Lady’s students were challenged to design, build and fly a self-propelled model aircraft using recyclable, everyday objects.  Aeroplanes manufactured from a wide range of materials, including balsa wood, paper clips, lollipop sticks and elastic bands, were judged on design, construction, flight and livery.

The standard of entries in each category was high, and the judging panel, comprising Bombardier manufacturing and materials engineers, selected Michaelagh Tennyson, Charlotte O’Neill and Katie Farrell, students of Our Lady’s Grammar School as runners up in the Key Stage 4/5 section.

Junior and Senior FLIGHT EXPERIENCE teams prepare to depart for a successful day at W5 Odyssey Arena, Belfast

Lower sixth students working on their second airplane model in Our Lady's

Michaelagh and Rebecca are informed of the rules prior to take off!

Sixth Form FLIGHT EXPERIENCE challenge team runners-up are presented with with their prize.