Fife Council’s Economic Development team, through its Culture of Enterprise initiative, proudly congratulates the students of St. Columba RC High School on their outstanding victory in the Regional Final of the 2024 RTX Quadcopter Challenge (Pushing Boundaries in Extreme Locations), held at Levenmouth Academy.
Now in its ninth year, the RTX Quadcopter Challenge—supported by Culture of Enterprise—brought together students from high schools across Fife, including Auchmuty High School, Levenmouth Academy, Queen Anne High School, and St. Columba's RC High School. Working in teams, the students designed and built quadcopters with guidance from Raytheon UK STEM Ambassadors.
As part of the competition, students presented their designs, outlined their cost considerations, and showcased their teamwork skills to a judging panel featuring representatives from Raytheon UK, Fife Council, and McDonald Water Storage. The challenge culminated in a demanding obstacle course, where teams demonstrated their quadcopters' flying capabilities and real-world applications.
Dot Smith, Enterprise and Business Development Manager for Fife Council’s Economic Development team, reflected on the competition’s impact:
“Programmes like the RTX Quadcopter Challenge play a vital role in fostering a culture of enterprise while developing STEM awareness and skills among young people. Our sincere congratulations go to the Fallout Fliers of St. Columba RC High School—we wish them the best of luck in the National Final! The judges were incredibly impressed with the quality of presentations and designs this year, and we extend our thanks to everyone who supported the event.”
Sam Hutton, Raytheon UK STEM Site Lead for Glenrothes, added:
“Another fantastic year for the Quadcopter Challenge! This year’s theme focused on collecting data in extreme environments, and the innovative solutions we saw from the students were truly inspiring. The next generation of engineers is in good hands!”
The Fallout Fliers will now advance to the National Final at RAF Birmingham on December 3rd, representing their school and showcasing their impressive engineering skills.
For more information about Fife Council’s Economic Development initiatives, please contact [email protected] or visit www.investfife.co.uk.
