The Real World Design Challenge (RWDC) is an annual aviation design competition for high school students in grades 9 through 12. It’s run by a public/private partnership aiming to enhance the STEM workforce, and it’s free for students and teachers. Teams of 3-7 students design a plane, and each team is supported by professional mentors. This year’s state RWDC challenge (PDF) is to design an unmanned aircraft for “precision agriculture” and develop a business plan for its commercial operation.
RWDC focuses on the “real world” through:
- A real problem identified by industry professionals
- Real tools, including commercial design software
- Real roles for students to promote leadership, teamwork, innovation, and problem-solving
- A real contribution in which students can make a difference.
This year’s 2013/2014 RWDC State Challenge was issued in October, and team registration will continue until November 22. State Challenge solutions are due March 31, 2014. The National RWDC Challenge will be issued in April 2014 to the first-place Massachusetts State Championship Team, which will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete for the National title in November 2014. For information, contact Steven Rawding, RWDC State Coordinator, at MassDOT Aeronautics (steven.rawding@state.ma.us, 617-412-3691).