The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) has announced the 2017 launch edition of its flagship schools competition for young engineers, the Technology Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge.
For more than a decade, the TDI Challenge has encouraged students aged 14-19 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 now allow group entries.
Submissions for 2017 are now open and all entries must be received by May 12, 2017. An expert judging panel made up of the MTA’s Education & Development Committee will choose the 12 individual project finalists and the eight group finalists, who will be notified by Friday June 9, 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 its cutting-edge facility in Worcester on Wednesday July 5, 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 £1,000 voucher for their school to spend on design and technology equipment for the classroom.
Last year’s winner of the 14-16 category, Chris Kalogroulis from Sutton Grammar School for Boys, commented “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.”
MTA CEO, James Selka said “In the 13 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”.
