BSG Robotics - Aviators

Introducing the RTX Quadcopter Challenge – The BSG Robotics Aviators Take Flight

This year, BSG Robotics has proudly launched a brand-new strand: The Aviators — our team participating in the RTX Quadcopter Challenge. This national STEM competition, supported by RTX (Raytheon Technologies), tasks young people with reimagining drones as tools for supporting real-world “local heroes.”

The challenge goes beyond simply building a drone. Teams are encouraged to innovate around humanitarian or community-focused missions — from disaster response to sea rescue. The design brief pushes students to improve an existing quadcopter platform to make it safer, faster, smarter, and more purposeful. It’s STEM applied to the real world.

At BSG, our first Aviators team has chosen to create MARC-1: a Marine Aerial Rescue Companion designed to support lifeguards and the RNLI in responding to emergencies out at sea. From onboard aid kits to inflatable life-saving systems and LED safety lighting, our team of Year 7 students have worked tirelessly to bring their bold idea to life — and will soon find out if they progress to Stage 2 of the national challenge.

Want to help inspire the next generation of stem leaders?

Contact us and see how we can help each other: bsgrobotics@bsg.bournemouth.sch.uk 

What Do Students Gain?

The RTX challenge is an exceptional opportunity for students to develop both technical engineering knowledge and practical real-world problem-solving skills. Over just a few months, our students have explored:

  • CAD design and digital modelling

  • Aerodynamic planning 

  • Material science and waterproofing techniques

  • Flotation and buoyancy engineering

  • Public speaking and STEM communication

  • Teamwork and leadership under real constraints

Unlike classroom lessons, the RTX Challenge mirrors real engineering development — working within a budget, under time pressure, and requiring adaptability when ideas don’t work the first time. It promotes curiosity, creativity, and a genuine connection between science and community impact.

Meet the Platinum Pixels

The team representing BSG in the 2025 RTX Quadcopter Challenge are the newly formed Platinum Pixels — five Year 7 girls who joined after missing out on a space in this year’s FIRST LEGO League programme. Over six weeks, they’ve built a team identity, researched sea rescue technology, held a live Q&A with an RNLI engineer, and prototyped the first version of MARC-1.

Each team member took on a different engineering role — from propeller and leg design, to waterproof housing and flotation testing. Their final submission includes 3D CAD models, a working scaled prototype, a presentation video, and a written engineering report.

Their project reflects everything we want the Aviators programme to be: student-led, bold, and committed to using STEM to make the world safer and smarter. Whatever the outcome of the competition, we couldn’t be prouder of how far they’ve flown already.