Each EPIC game emulates a real-world problem so that students are always thinking about actual applications and current solutions and balancing them against their design rules in the gameplay packet .
Teams also need to consider the specific constraints in the gameplay packet as well as other factors such as budget , materials and the weight of their airplane . The design rules in the gameplay packet change each year , to reflect that year ’ s game and keep the project fresh so that students from previous years can continue to participate each year they are in middle or high school .
It ’ s such a confidence boost when students see their airplanes fly . “ I love it when I can get my airplane to fly !” says a 9th grade student . “ It makes me want to keep trying to see if I can make it better and get more points than the other teams !”
The airplanes ’ flying is only part of the goal . After each airplane is deemed flight-worthy , teams can then begin playing this year ’ s game to add points to their score .
32 LET ’ S GO AEROSPACE