Cambridge University Drone Society Competition: Phase One Comes to an End

Phase One of the Airfoil Design Competition, delivered in partnership with Cambridge University Drone Society, has officially come to an end, marking a significant moment for Engineer Your Vision and our first major national competition.

The opening phase of the competition saw an extraordinary level of engagement. Over 1,600 students took part, exploring aerospace engineering concepts through CAD design, airflow simulation, and performance analysis. Across social media platforms, the competition reached more than 90,000 views, reflecting a strong appetite among students to engage with engineering content that is both challenging and accessible.

Beyond the numbers, Phase One demonstrated the value of giving students space to learn by doing. Participants engaged deeply with unfamiliar tools and ideas, developing an understanding of aerodynamics, iteration, and design decision-making. For many, this was a first encounter with CFD simulations or engineering-style problem solving, reinforcing the importance of opportunities that encourage exploration without requiring prior experience.

The scale of participation and the quality of engagement throughout Phase One highlighted what is possible when students are trusted with meaningful technical challenges. It also reaffirmed our aim of building a growing community of young people who are curious about engineering and motivated to push their understanding further.

As Phase One concludes, we now look ahead to the next stage of the competition. We are excited to welcome the top ten participants to the end round at the University of Cambridge’s engineering laboratories, where finalists will present and pitch their designs in person. This next phase represents another step forward, bringing students together, encouraging discussion, and celebrating the process of learning through engineering. If you haven't managed to secure a placement you had expected this time round, we encourage you to look forth.

This will not be our last competition or opportunity for students to take part in such super curricular opportunities whatsoever!