On June 27, the Trials of the 2026 National Youth Aerospace Model Education Competition and National Youth UAV Innovation Education Competition (Huaihua Division) kicked off at Zhongfang Central Primary School affiliated to Jinxi Education Group of Huaihua City. More than 500 young contestants from primary and secondary schools across Huaihua City gathered in Zhongfang County to compete with their skills and showcase their talents in a spectacular showdown of scientific and technological innovation.
The venue was filled with excitement, permeated with the vibe of youthfulness and technology. In the aeromodelling competition area, participants carefully assembled and repeatedly debugged catapult gliders and water rockets. Upon the launch command, paper planes soared into the sky and circled overhead, while rocket models shot upward, drawing cheers from the audience time and again. The UAV competition zone featured intense and thrilling contests. Contestants kept a close eye on control screens and nimbly manipulated joysticks with both hands, guiding aircraft to weave agilely through track obstacles and accurately complete tasks such as aerial offensive and defensive matches. Their composed operations fully demonstrated their solid hands-on capabilities and scientific literacy.
It was learned that the event consisted of two major competition categories: aeromodelling and UAV events that were divided into primary school and secondary school groups. It included multiple disciplines such as catapult glider race, small water rocket distance challenge and aerial football offence and defense matches. Combining individual practical contests and team collaboration challenges, the competition comprehensively displayed young people’s practical abilities in scientific and technological innovation.
First, second and third prizes were awarded based on competition groups and performance ratios, alongside group awards and outstanding instructor awards. Top-performing contestants will qualify for the national finals to compete on a higher stage.
The trial event has built a platform for young people across the city to communicate, learn and improve themselves, allowing teenagers to experience the unique charm of aerospace technology through immersive hands-on practice. Taking the competition as an opportunity, Zhongfang County will further advance campus science and innovation education, enrich technology education resources, innovate talent cultivation models, and fully advance high-quality and distinctive development of youth science education in the county.
(Translated by Yang Hong)