Sikorsky Announces 5th Year of Helicopter 2050 Challenge

Kids to Create the Helicopter of the Future in Scholarship Competition

Stratford, Ct. – Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., has launched the 5th annual Sikorsky Helicopter 2050 Program and Challenge, which asks children, ages 9-16, to create an eco-friendly helicopter of the future that addresses potential challenges of 2050.

The national competition kicked off June 1 and will run until October 15, 2015. The winner of the 2015 competition will receive the Igor Sikorsky Youth Innovator Award and a $1,000 scholarship. In addition, the young innovator will be flown to Sikorsky’s headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut, to tour the assembly lines of the iconic BLACK HAWK and SEAHAWK® military helicopters and meet with Sikorsky rotorcraft engineers.

“Our goal is to challenge kids to think about the future and how they can use their science and math skills to make a positive change in the world,” said Judith Bankowski, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Sikorsky Aircraft. “We understand how important it is to develop students’ skills and confidence in these subjects and to give kids of all backgrounds an opportunity to see themselves as future engineers, technologists and scientists.”

The Sikorsky Helicopter 2050 Challenge is a part of Sikorsky’s commitment to encouraging students’ hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The program also gives the corporation an opportunity to develop long-term relationships with tomorrow’s engineers.

Last year’s winner, Hana Bidon, 17, of West Haven, Connecticut, designed the Skylift Rescue 968 by mimicking the bone structure of birds to develop a lighter and more aerodynamic helicopter. The main body of the aircraft is made out of recycled fiber-composite materials, which use 3D vascular networks to self-heal. As a result, this helicopter repairs cracks with the aid of a technician.

Sikorsky co-sponsors this annual Challenge with By Kids For Kids, a Connecticut-based organization, whose educational content inspires kids to become successful inventors. The Challenge honors Sikorsky Aircraft founder Igor Sikorsky who, in 1939, led an engineering team that developed a vertical lift machine with a core design that is still used in a majority of helicopters flying today.

Schools, museums and camps throughout the country can use the fun, hands-on activities to help students imagine the environmental future and challenges of helicopters. Teachers, program facilitators, parents and museum staff can sign up at www.helicopter2050.com to download FREE program materials.

For more information about the competition and program, visit www.helicopter2050.com.

Featured

  • Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Kenall Introduces Millenium Flair Series

    In a move aimed at modernizing institutional lighting without compromising on durability or performance, Kenall has launched its new Millenium Flair series, according to the Kenall website.

  • Austin International School Library Renovation

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Austin International School has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • illustration of a school building under construction

    One District, One Way: Bringing Consistency to K–12 Construction Projects

    From budgeting to closeout, here's how a single playbook can turn chaos into clarity in school construction programs.

Digital Edition