Budding engineers across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole were invited to design a paper aeroplane.
Six winners will meet the world-famous RAF pilots during this year’s event, which takes place between Thursday, August 31 and Sunday, September, 3.
One winner of the paper aeroplane competition was Dylan Goodman from Winton Primary School, whose brightly coloured design caught the attention of the judges.
Dylan’s mother Sarah Goodman said: “Dylan is aviation mad, and it’s been his dream for as long I can remember to join the RAF and be a Red Arrow pilot, so this is an incredible opportunity for him.”
He will join winners from Heatherlands Primary School, Parkfield School, St Clement’s and St John’s Infant School, Talbot Heath, and Christchurch Infants.
The winners will be taken on a tour of the festival’s Ultra Energy STEM Village (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), which features demonstrations from local STEM companies.
All primary schools in the BCP Council area were also invited to an exclusive question and answer online event with the Red Arrows.
About 130 classes and 3,300 children took part in the event, which featured Flt Lt Patrick Kershaw from the Red Arrows and promoted the Ultra Energy STEM Village.
The pilot, known as Red 5, spoke about his fondness for Bournemouth and how he would be looking forward to seeing the children wave as he flew over for this year’s air festival.
Councillor Richard Burton, portfolio holder for children and young people, said: “This community engagement has really helped us inspire the next generation of schoolchildren into STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).
“If you’re a budding engineer, or you’re just interested in how things work, please do visit the Ultra Energy STEM Village at this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.”
Squadron Leader Tom Bould, Team Leader and Red 1 of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: “STEM subjects power the work of the Red Arrows and are at the core of so many roles within the RAF.
“We’ve all been very impressed by the creativity and ingenuity in all in the children’s paper aeroplane designs. Every entry was a possible winner.”
Visit the Ultra Energy STEM Village on the East Cliff at the Bournemouth Air Festival August 31 to September 3.
