TDI CHALLENGE
Innovation in schools Budding engineers compete to push their creative boundaries
The motorsport industry relies on technical innovation and a steady stream of fresh engineering talent to justify its continued relevance to manufacturers, which makes initiatives such as the annual Technology, Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge increasingly important in a fast-moving world.
Held since 2003, the TDI Challenge is a nationwide competition for Design and Technology students aged between 14 and 19, with the stated goal of inspiring innovation in schools and promoting engineering as a viable career option.
Students are invited to submit their existing GCSE, A-level or BTEC coursework projects to be assessed by an expert panel of judges from the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), with a £1000 cheque for the winning school or college to spend on D&T equipment among the prizes up for grabs. This year’s competition at the European HQ of Yamakazi Mazak in Worcestershire was the biggest yet, with group projects admitted for the first time. Six finalists in the individual categories for 14-16 and 17-19 age groups, as well as two groups in the 17-19 bracket, were judged on the creativity of their concepts – ranging from Bluetooth bicycle indicators to an infra-red lifeboat search-and-rescue drone – among other criteria including commercial viability, quality of manufacturing and presentation skills.
Whether any of the finalists will one day convert their enthusiasm into a career in motorsport is impossible to predict, but MTA Education and Development coordinator
Laura Pickering believes the event shows engagement in engineering is on the up.
“The 2017 TDI Challenge received the highest number of entries to date,” said Pickering.
“Over 60% of the schools that entered were new to the competition this year and it was great to see such a wide range of innovative projects.”
“The MTA is very supportive of D&T and engineering within the national curriculum, and is keen to address gender disparity and encourage more women to work in the engineering and manufacturing industry.”