Bede’s Triumph at The UK Space Design Competition

The UK Space Design Competition, like many events, went digital last year and it was with real excitement that Bede’s were able to invite schools to compete in-person once again on Saturday 6 November. 

There were six schools competing which included Bedes, Riddlesdown, Sevenoaks, Downlands and Cardinal Newman. They were grouped into three teams, with Bede’s and the students from a science club in London forming the team ‘Da Vinci Meccanica’.

The teams began working at around 10am on the Request for Proposal (RFP) for a space settlement in cyclic orbit between Earth and Mars for 1000 business travellers in the year 2052. It was clear that the teams very much enjoyed working on this futuristic space mission. 

After many hours of hard work and refinement, the teams presented their 20 minute proposals to the judging panel, made up of the UK Space Design team, followed by a 10 minute Q&A. The judges then disappeared to make their deliberations.

The Da Vinci team were praised in particular for including a number of innovative ideas and setting their proposal firmly in the future. Additionally, the judges were most impressed by how well the team handled questions on their presentation – they had clearly researched their ideas and knew their proposal well. And the verdict was… Da Vinci won! Bede’s are now looking forward to attending the UK final next March in Imperial College. 

Bill Richards, Maths Teacher and Activities Director at Bede’s comments, ‘We are so proud of our pupils for showing the highest level of innovation and professionalism that I can remember in a Regional. Their victory was very well deserved.’

See Bede’s Online listing here.