How cool would it be to design and build your own electric airplane ? If you ’ re a middle or high school student with an interest in science , technology , engineering , and math ( STEM ), then the Electric Propulsion Innovation Challenge ( EPIC ) is a great fit for you !
EPIC is an engaging aerospace design challenge that inspires students like you to design , build , and fly a small electric airplane . Each airplane has a wingspan of about two feet . It ’ s a hands-on experience that lets you explore electric aviation instead of just reading about it in the news .
Each year EPIC plays a different game , but the basic idea stays the same — design , build and fly a small electric airplane that will carry out a specific game task .
It ’ s always a tethered-flight game , which means that the airplane is secured to a central flight tower and always travels in a circle . So , it ’ s easy to use and safe to fly airplanes indoors !
Building your own airplane might sound intimidating , but EPIC is designed to be a learning experience . Through EPIC , students learn about aerodynamics — how wings create lift — and the how basic principles of flight , like thrust , drag , and weight work . It ’ s a great way to deepen understanding and learn about different career pathways in the aerospace industry too .
EPIC encourages teamwork and collaboration , so you never have to go it alone . For extra support , teams can apply for a mentor to help your team make key design decisions . Mentors work or are retired from the aerospace industry and they don ’ t participate in day-to-day decisions , but they can answer technical questions and help your team make key decisions for a successful airplane design .
30 LET ’ S GO AEROSPACE