THE RAF Charitable Trust are inspiring the next generation of engineers in North Cerney.

The Trust presented two talented youngsters from North Cerney Church of England Primary Academy with this year’s Junior Engineer Challenge Award.

Olivia Goodwin and Lucy Dennis, both aged 11, were been presented with a trophy and £500 for the school, after successfully completing a problem solving engineering challenge, funded by the Trust in collaboration with STEMworks.

A total of 20 primary schools from around the Cotswolds took part in the project, which saw pupils put their engineering skills to the test.

They were split into pairs and given the task of designing and building a carrier to transport an egg safely, without it breaking when dropped from a height.

The challenge was designed to mirror the process of delivering humanitarian aid.

Each school received a half-day workshop, introducing students to the methods they might use, before selecting their team to compete at the Royal International Air Tattoo, where there inventions were judged by members of the Red Arrows’ engineering team, the Blues.

Jane Burr, principal at North Cerney CofE Primary Academy, said: “This project is a fantastic way for us to get involved in more STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) related activities.

“STEMworks is a really important way for pupils to develop their skills and obtain a practical knowledge of the sciences.

“The pupils really enjoyed taking part in the challenge, especially getting the opportunity to attend the Air Tattoo, and I’d like to thank the Trust for supporting such a unique experience.

“We are going to use the prize money in a way that benefits the whole school and helps raise the profile of science by taking the children on a day trip to the Science Festival in Cheltenham.

“Any remaining funds will be spent on equipment for the school, including some new K’Nex, to help encourage STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)-based learning.”

Trust director, Justine Morton, said: “Firstly I’d like to congratulate all of the pupils on their achievement – it looks like we have some aspiring engineers on our hands.

“Encouraging aviation-related education is one of the main objectives of the Trust and STEM forms a huge part of this.

“These projects make a huge difference about the way pupils view engineering and the career opportunities it can provide, and we hope that by taking part they have been inspired to continue their studies in science and technology based fields.”