Fifty-seven balsa wood gliders were launched into the air simultaneously yesterday - setting a new Singapore record. The event was part of Republic Polytechnic's annual Glider Fest competition, which aims to boost interest in aerospace and aviation as well as encourage students to explore careers in the sector.

More than 260 secondary students designed and built the gliders with help from faculty members and students from the polytechnic's School of Engineering. Each team of five tested the models with the school's special launcher, which can send them flying up to 30m.