As part of Impact Projects at Albany Senior High School (ASHS) this year, nineteen students quite literally took their learning to new heights through their STEAM project, One Foot in the Clouds™.
Working in small teams, students designed and built their very own remote-controlled (RC) planes from scratch – an ambitious challenge that required creativity, collaboration, and plenty of perseverance.
Under the mentorship of teachers Louise Geck and Catherine Ellett, and supported by the Royal Aeronautical Society NZ through donations of essential equipment, students followed a design thinking framework to plan, prototype, and test every aspect of their aircraft. From experimenting with wing design and load ratios to fine-tuning aerodynamics, each stage brought new learning and problem-solving opportunities.
“The teams of students have grown in confidence in their ability to collaborate and project manage, with the use of stand-up meetings to increase productivity,” says Geck. “Their communication skills have been tested and we see what were quiet, reserved students flourishing and showing genuine leadership within their groups.”
Alongside their design and build work, students also practised their flying skills using small foam RC planes in the school gym and built their aviation knowledge through the New Zealand Model Flying organisation’s Learn to Fly programme.
The group was also fortunate to receive expert mentorship and encouragement from Mark Corbett, an aeronautical engineer and secretary of a local RC Model Aeroclub, who visited weekly and shared his technical know-how frequently with the students.
After months of design, testing, and fine-tuning, the project culminated in the Frankenplane Competition held over the October school holidays. Despite several weather delays – and a few last-minute repairs – teams were able to proudly showcase their aircrafts. Planes were first judged on their design and creative backstory, before taking to the skies for a series of manoeuvres.
While the competition results didn’t quite go their way, students came away with valuable insights, resilience, and a deeper understanding of engineering and aerodynamics – along with the satisfaction of seeing their hard work take flight – literally.
“The learning for all has been both daunting and exhilarating,” says Geck. “The exponential growth and substantial learning, I am sure, will continue.”
Congratulations to all students involved, including Team Micetro (Silas, Kate, Ryan, and Lex), Team Group (Jack, Kyle, Cameron and Nisitha), Team Lucky Martin (Noah, Ken, Orion, Elvis and Asher) and Team Par Avion (Bibi, Bond and Justin) for their creativity, teamwork, and innovation.
About Impact Projects at ASHS
Impact Projects are a cornerstone of learning at Albany Senior High School – giving students the chance to apply their knowledge, passions, and skills to real-world challenges.
Every Wednesday, our students step beyond traditional classrooms to explore projects that make a genuine difference – whether in sustainability, the arts, community action, entrepreneurship, or technology. Through this hands-on, inquiry-driven model, students develop essential skills in collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving, while discovering what truly inspires them.
Don’t miss the chance to experience education where innovation meets opportunity and every learner thrives. Visit ashs.school.kiwi to enrol at ASHS today.
