RC Jet Innovation Competition Showcases Students’ Stem Skills

ALOR SETAR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- The national-level Remote-Controlled (RC) Jet Innovation Competition 2025, held in conjunction with the Northern Zone National Science Week (MSN) Carnival 2025, showcased the skills of secondary school students in designing and operating remote-controlled aircraft based on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge.

National Science Centre (Northern Region Branch) deputy head Farahzaida Abdul Kader said the competition not only tested students’ creativity in aircraft construction but also encouraged them to apply elements of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

“Organised by the National Science Centre, the competition provides participants with the opportunity to understand and apply STEM knowledge in the field of aeromodelling and to operate their creations remotely.

“It also provides a platform for students to understand real-world engineering concepts and flight principles, as every design must be precise to ensure airworthiness,” she told Bernama when met at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Gunong here today.

She said the competition, which began yesterday, comprised two main phases — the construction phase and the flight test — with each team evaluated based on their technical capability and creativity in designing their remote-controlled aircraft.

“Yesterday, participants built their aircraft using components provided by the organiser. Today, they are being tested on their flying skills and the accuracy of their flight performance,” she said.

Farahzaida said the assessment focused on three main criteria — aircraft design, technical proficiency and aeromodelling knowledge, as well as flying skills.

She added that participation this year had increased compared to previous editions, with 45 teams from various secondary schools nationwide taking part, including several schools that sent more than one team.

“The increase reflects students’ growing interest in science and technology, in line with the government’s efforts to strengthen the STI agenda at the grassroots level,” she said.

According to her, the competition was first held in 2019 in Langkawi in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), followed by the 2023 edition in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, and is now being hosted in Alor Setar for the third edition.

“With each edition, we’ve observed improvements in the quality of the aircraft produced. This time, each design showcases its own strengths and creativity, requiring judges to be more meticulous in their evaluations,” she said.

Farahzaida added that the competition also serves as an important platform to nurture a tech-savvy and innovative younger generation, in line with the nation’s aspiration to build a knowledge-based society.

She said the results of the competition will be announced tomorrow during the launch of the Northern Zone National Science Week by Kedah Industry and Investment, Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah.

Meanwhile, one of the participants, 17-year-old Adam Haris Noor Saiful Anizar, said the competition gave him the opportunity to learn new knowledge, particularly in designing remote-controlled aircraft.

“I’m really excited to see the various aircraft designs by other teams, all of which are impressive. I also got to meet new friends who share the same interest,” said the Taiping Vocational College student.

His teammate, Waeil Jamaluddin, 17, said the competition enabled him to apply his STEM knowledge and that he was thrilled to see their aircraft successfully take flight.

-- BERNAMA