Promotion of Engineering as a Career

MTA Projects

To download the application form click here

The Competition

The TDi Challenge rewards individual project-based work that has taken place in D&T departments. We are looking for work that demonstrates quality in designing and making and shows innovative thinking.

The Method

To enter, all you have to do is complete the application form (one for each pupil entering the competition) and post it along with suitable digital or processed images of the project, to the MTA, to arrive no later than Friday  6 June.

Applications will be evaluated by a panel of judges. The final will take place at Yamazaki Mazak U.K. Ltd in Worcester on Wednesday 16 July when all finalists selected will display design work and outcomes and give a brief presentation on their project to a panel of judges.

The Task

The concept of innovation is currently receiving a great deal of attention within the D&T community; innovation can be a difficult area to assess but the previous winners of this competition, now in its fifth year, have exemplified some excellent and diverse examples of innovative thinking.

The Organisers

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP) have developed a partnership over recent years to bring together education and industry in a constructive way, to help to promote modern manufacturing and potential careers to young people.

The Manufacturing Technologies Association represents the interests of its members to government and helps companies increase their competitiveness in a global marketplace, while the Technology Enhancement Programme is an innovative leading provider of quality resources, software and courseware for schools.

The Details

 Entries are open to all schools in the UK, and each school may enter as many pupils as they wish.

Entries will be split into the following 3 categories:

Computer Aided Design and Manufacture

Electronic Product Design and Manufacture

Product Design and Manufacture

Entries will be split into the following 3 categories:

Group A:                 11-14 years

Group B:                  15-16 years

Group C:                  17-19 years

The Judging Criteria

INNOVATION

Range of ideas and sources explored and developed.

MANUFACTURING

Quality of manufacture, accuracy, finish and fit

USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Selection and use of technology in design and manufacture

PRODUCTION

Range of processes, tools, materials and skills used

PRESENTATION

Displaying a range of graphic techniques, skills and literacy

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Evidence of modelling, testing, evaluating and prototyping

REFLECTIVE PRACTICE

Problem solving, improvements, production techniques.

The Submission Details

Please post completed application and accompanying images/folio work to:

The Education & Training Department

(TDi Challenge)

MTA

62 Bayswater Road

London

W2 3PS

For further information contact Nick Stamp

Imagineering Fair
The MTA is a strong supporter of the annual Imagineering Fair, which takes place over the bank holiday weekend in August.

Imagineering is part of a major initiative designed to introduce 8-16 year olds to the fascinating world of engineering and manufacturing through fun, hands-on activities. Through Imagineering, children are able to see, touch and explore exactly how things are designed, how they are made and how they work - and most importantly, have fun at the same time.

Visit the Imagineering website at http://www.imagineering.gb.com/

The list below is not exhaustive but will give you ideas about how to get involved with other engineering activities.

The Engineering Education Scheme
The Engineering Education Scheme is the first stage in the Best Programme. It introduces sixth formers to the world of engineering via a programme of joint projects between participating schools and sponsoring industrial companies. The Engineering Education Scheme in England has already provided more than 11,000 young people with an insight into the world of engineering. This invaluable experience enables students to make more informed career decisions through a better understanding of engineering as a profession.

Visit: The Engineering Education Scheme

Headstart
Headstart offers Year 12 pupils (6th Form) the opportunity to visit the engineering department of a university to meet students and professors and to see what it is like to study engineering or computer science.

Visit: Headstart

Year in Industry
Year in Industry is a national industrial placement programme, which gives students the opportunity to undertake special engineering/manufacturing projects before going to university. The Engineering Employers' Federation sponsors the 'EEF Year in Industry Contribution to Business Award' (see www.eef.org.uk)

Visit: Year in Industry

N.B: Engineering Education Scheme (England), Headstart and Year in Industry are administered by the Engineering Development Trust a registered charity which is part of the Royal Academy of Engineering's Best programme.

Other schemes run by the Royal Academy of Engineering include:

Schemes for GCSE and A-level students
Work experience, gap year training, university tasters, practical problem-solving.

Schemes for undergraduates
Industrial and business experience, personal development courses, funding for projects.

Smallpeice Trust Courses
These courses offer students the opportunity to work on real life 'design and make' projects with engineers from industry. There are different courses for different age groups and the courses include lecture and exercises to improve communication skills etc.

Visit: Smallpeice Trust Courses

CREST Awards
Crest is a national accreditation scheme designed to recognise individual student achievements in science and technology. It stimulates project work with a practical problem solving approach. By encouraging external links with industry, government agencies and research establishments, it motivates students to take up real challenges.

The Crest Award Scheme is an activity of the British Association of the Advancement of Science.

Visit: CREST Awards

Jaguar F1 in Schools
The F1 Team in Schools Challenge is a competition, open to all UK based secondary schools and colleges, to design and manufacture CO2 powered model racing cars. Student teams compete against each other in a national championship to determine the best engineered and fastest car in the UK.

Visit: Jaguar F1 in Schools

Women into Science and Engineering (WISE)
WISE runs courses, awards and visits schools to promote women in science and engineering. WISE has 5 mobile classrooms, which travel the country, providing girls with the opportunity of exploring different engineering/science related themes.

Visit: WISE

Scenta
Initiated by The Engineering and Technology Board (the etb), this resource works with leaders in the science, engineering and technology (SET) world to provide a gateway to the best SET resources on the web.

Through the aggregation of the best of existing initiatives, and through a suite of leading-edge communication technologies, including i-Seminars and the Datascenta, scenta acts as a meeting point for people in SET, their peers, and the information providers and professional organisations that they seek.

Visit: Scenta

Young Engineers
Young Engineers is the national network of science, engineering, technology and electronics clubs in schools and colleges. Young Engineers Clubs provide a framework for young people to become actively involved in the world of engineering, science and technology.

Visit: Young Engineers

Young Engineers for Britain
This competition is the largest of its kind in Europe and aims to showcase engineering innovations of 11-19 year olds.

Visit: Young Engineers for Britain

Other links:

The Design & Technology Association - www.data.org.uk

European Young Engineers - www.e-y-e.org

Technology Enhancement Programme - www.tep.org.uk

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