At the end of each school year, Bird High students in the Governor’s Academy for Engineering Studies work for weeks to build hovercraft they can race in the school gym. This inventive, competitive, often hilarious tradition brings together teams of students who choose creative themes for their leaf-blower-powered designs.
During the two-day hovercraft extravaganza, costumed students navigate their hovercraft through a slalom course and compete in races against other teams. Hovercraft in 2025 included nods to “X-Men,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Danny Phantom,” “Invincible” and “Big Hero 6.”
As audience members cheer from the bleachers, hovercraft teams navigate up and down the gym floor. The most successful teams balance speed with the ability to steer their floating vehicles at the turnaround point.