Awards, challenges and competititons

Competitions and award schemes can be a very effective means of highlighting D&T work and raising the status of the subject to a broad audience. Whilst they involve considerable effort and organisation they can be of great value to students and provide public recognition for their achievements.

Below is a list of the current main national D&T competitions and award schemes. If you have tried any others and would like to recommend them for inclusion here, please contact us with the relevant information.

- D&T Week
- Current competitions
- On-going Awards and challenges

D&T Week: 20-24 June 2011

D&T Week provides a focus for all aspects of D&T education.

Activities

• A design and technology challenge for whole year groups
• Having a designer in residence
• Industry-based design and make activities
• Mini-enterprise activities
• Exhibition of work in school or in the local community
• Visits to local companies, museums or activity centres
• A design and technology conference for teachers

Organising activities

As a wide range of activities is possible, organisation may have to be at many different levels, but the following key steps may be helpful for planning:

• Draft ideas for an activity
• Hold a meeting with colleagues in schools, or with local schools or LA staff
• Agree the proposals then develop an action plan to set up the event
• Advertise the event - use the D&T Association website, D&T Stream or D&T News, your LA and your local Learning and Skills council, which has responsibility for supporting engineering and technology education.
• Seek sponsors if required
• Plan venues and activities
• Ensure local press, radio, television are invited to the launch

Current competitions

Primary Engineer National Challenge 2011
Open to pupils from years 2/3 and 5/6 from schools registered with Primary Engineer this National Challenge runs local and regional events culminating in a National Final held at the Big Bang Fair at the ExCel Centre in London on the 12th March 2011. The challenge involves the practical application of maths and science to design and technology design and make projects. This competition is aimed at whole class involvement covering cross-curricular aspects of the Design Technology curriculum. To find out more about registration, the challenge, extensive resources and CPD visit www.primaryengineer.com or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Primary Leaders Award for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
A free award open to pupils between the ages of 5 and 11. The Primary Leaders Award asks pupils to write a letter of application to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it detailing how they are involved in STEM activities and to complete the award interview a Scientist, Technologist, Engineer or Mathematician about their life and career. Each year a number of Special Awards are added to the site each with its own focus interviews and each with their own prizes! Pupils can enter video or podcast interviews however pupils over the age of 9 must submit a written article to complete the award. For more information and resources contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.leadersaward.com

Primary Engineer BLOODHOUND SSC Challenge
Based on the current world land speed record attempt being made by Richard Nobel and Andy Green and a team of engineers, scientists and designers to build a car that will travel at a design speed of 1050mph! The Challenge is free to enter and a range of resources are available to support the classroom or club activity. Students are to design a stored energy vehicle to travel at speed over a set distance. Teams can be all primary aged students or a mixture of ages including adults and secondary pupils working alongside primary pupils two leagues are offered Primary and Community. For more information email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and visit: www.primaryengineer.com

On-going Awards and challenges

Active Kids Get Cooking www.activekidsgetcooking.org.uk