Dragon’s Den for top school talent
Published : July 14, 2009
UK School pupils taking part in a schools engineering competition are creating products which wouldn’t be out of place on TV’s Dragon’s Den. The annual TDI competition seeks out the most innovative school engineering projects. The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) which organises the awards has been taken aback by the quality of entries to this year’s Technology Design Innovation Awards, a sure sign that engineering is starting to capture the imagination of UK youngsters.
The competition encourages 15-19 year old school pupils to enter their GSCE and A-Level coursework for judging by a panel of industry experts in order to find the most innovative invention. You might expect such competitions to attract entries with paper-mache models, a box or a metal candle holder – but you would be wrong. Previous years have seen a fully working industrial fence post remover, kayak roof-rack system, car safety equipment and a host of other inventive projects, many of which approach professional standards.
Graham Dewhurst, MTA Director General commented, “MTA believes that engineering based manufacturing should be re-instated as one of the main economic pillars for this country - and regaining the interest of Britain’s talented school pupils is the key. What Government and industry must find is the spark to get youngsters enthused about engineering. The TDI Awards set out to do just that – encouraging them to produce a real life design and engineering project. In doing so opening their minds to a career in the industry”.
The TDI Awards 2009 take place at Yamazaki Mazak on the 15 July 2009 - entries are already flowing in for the ever-popular competition.
