The pupils from Unity Primary are high-flyers.

Yesterday, they landed a total of nine awards at the inaugural Singapore Amazing Flying Machines Competition finals held at the Science Centre. Jointly organised by DSO National Laboratories and the Science Centre, it drew 200 teams from about 100 schools and organisations to dogfight it out in five categories. In total, 48 teams won 78 awards.

Teams had to design and build craft that were tested on factors like how long they could stay aloft and the number of loops performed.

Professor Lui Pao Chuen, adviser at the National Research Foundation, praised their creativity.

'If you look at the future economy of Singapore, it has to be driven by research, innovation and enterprise. Science and engineering is vital for Singapore's economic future,' he said.

'This competition is fantastic and we should have more of such opportunities,' added Prof Liu, who was the former chairman of DSO.

The guest of honour, Minister of Defence Teo Chee Hean, said: 'This is an excellent platform to unleash the creativity of Singaporeans, through the wonders of flight and pushing the boundaries for flying machines.'

Teo Wan Gek

This article was first published in The Straits Times.