Competition Brief: Stage 1

The competition questions do not require any specialist knowledge or understanding beyond what you will have already studied at school in STEM subjects. However, you are encouraged to read around the subject, making use of any resources (the internet, textbooks, etc) that you have available to you. You should answer both questions. When submitting your entry, you should covert your document to PDF format (max. 2 pages, 2MB file size limit).

Question 1

What is your vision for an environmentally-sustainable future in an aerospace engineering sector of your choice (e.g. aviation, space, motorsport, green energy, etc.)? How can engineering technology help realise this vision?

(50 marks, 1 page limit)

The question will be judged according to the following criteria, with equal weighting:

  • Understanding of the subject: To achieve high scores, your answer should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of your chosen sector of Aerospace Engineering, with well-researched background information that is integrated into your essay’s argument.
  • Technical rigour: To achieve high scores, your answer should demonstrate precise and accurate use of relevant concepts, theories, and methodologies in Aerospace Engineering.
  • Coherence of argument: To achieve high scores, your answer should present a well-structured, logically flowing narrative, with each point clearly connected to the central argument and smooth transitions between paragraphs.
  • Clarity of communication: To achieve high scores, your answer should be clearly written in language that is concise and precise, with well-articulated ideas and minimal ambiguity.
  • Professional presentation: To achieve high scores, your answer should be presented to a high standard, with no errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting.

Question 2

A space agency is looking into the possibility of landing a rover with weight, 200kg, on Saturn’s moon, Titan. Estimate the diameter of the parachute required, making suitable approximations for any information you require in this calculation. You can consider the problem in as much or as little depth as you wish, and are encouraged to use diagrams to support your calculations.

(50 marks, 1 page limit)

The question will be judged according to the following criteria, with equal weighting:

  • Approach to problem: To achieve high scores, your answer should clearly outline your logical process, justifying each step with a clear rationale and explaining the link between steps.
  • Technical understanding: To achieve high scores, your answer should demonstrate a thorough understanding of Aerospace Engineering concepts relevant to the problem and should apply these concepts accurately.
  • Physical assumptions: To achieve high scores, your answer should clearly state and justify any assumptions, and these assumptions should be reasonable.
  • Accuracy of calculations: To achieve high scores, your answer should use the correct equations and all calculations should be correctly executed, with appropriate attention to units and significant figures.
  • Professional presentation: To achieve high scores, your answer should present a solution in a clear, organized manner, with well-labelled diagrams, equations, and calculations.

Submitting your entry

You should use the attached template for your entry, which should be a maximum of two pages (one page for Q1 and one page for Q2), written in justified, single-spaced Calibri with font size 11. The margins should be at least 1.27 cm on top/bottom/left/right.

Check that you understand and accept the competition rules. Once you have prepared your submission, you should export it as a single PDF document (max. 2 pages, 2MB file size limit) and submit your entry via the online form.