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=The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) is delighted to launch the 2017 edition their flagship schools competition for young engineers, the Technology Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge.
For over a decade the TDI Challenge has been shining a light on Design and Technology students aged 14-19. The national competition encourages students to submit their existing coursework projects, which would go towards either their GCSE, A-Level or BTEC qualifications.
Due to the success of previous years’ competitions, the TDI Challenge 2017 is being expanded to allow group entries. Laura Pickering, MTA Education and Development Co-ordinator, explained the decision, saying “Groups of 3-6 students will now be able to submit their projects in either the 14-16 or 17-19 age group category, as we feel the TDI Challenge is a great opportunity to encourage collaboration. We have previously received such a high standard of individual entries we’re excited to see what innovative ideas are submitted for both individual and group categories in 2017.”
Submissions for 2017 are now open and all entries must be received by 12th May 2017. An expert judging panel made up of the MTA’s Education & Development Committee will choose the 12 individual project finalists and the 8 group finalists, who will be notified by Friday 9th June 2017 if they have succeeded in being selected for the judging day.
The final itself will be held at the European Headquarters of MTA Members Yamakazi Mazak at their state of the art facility in Worcester on Wednesday 5th July 2017. The chosen finalists display their portfolio of work in Mazak’s atrium, and give a brief presentation to the judging panel who will decide the overall prize winners.
The winner in each category will receive an individual prize (including iPads, GoPro cameras, Minirig speakers and drones) as well as a £1000 voucher for their school to spend on Design and Technology equipment for the classroom.
2016 winner of the 14-16 category, Chris Kalogroulis from Sutton Grammar School for Boys, said “It has been a really fantastic experience. I’m so pleased with the reaction to my entry, I’m going to try and get a Kickstarter campaign started online to get the product to market.”
Ben Noar from Highgate School was the winner of the 2016 17-19 age category, and when asked how he felt about winning said “It is quite incredible I was not expecting it at all, it is a great thing to put on my personal statement for University, and it is an experience I’ll never forget.”
James Selka MTA CEO said “In the thirteen years that we have been running the TDI Challenge we have seen some incredibly diverse, inspirational projects. The MTA recognises the importance of allowing students to realise their potential from an early age, and wishes to support schools and colleges in encouraging the wide range of skills that can be utilised for a career in engineering”.
