Two teams of young engineers are the pride of their schools after
winning the top prizes in the National Final of the 2011-12 Toyota
Technology Challenge.
On one of the warmest days of the year so far, it was a hot day of
competition at Toyota's Manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire.
Twelve UK schools took part in the final of the competition, which
Toyota have developed in partnership with Rapid. Spoils were shared
between the sexes with the winning teams being an all-boys team from
Test Valley School, Hampshire, and an all-girls outfit from Flint High
School, North Wales.
Teams competed in two categories – Solar Power and PIC
microcontroller. During the course of the day the teams presented their
project and vehicle to a panel of judges. Marks were also given for team
identity. The climax for most competitors was the moment they set their
creations loose on the Challenge racetrack – a straight race for teams
in the Solar Power category, or guiding their vehicle around obstacles
for teams in the PIC microcontroller category.
The PIC category was won by ‘The Golden Fleeces’ from Flint High
School. The team members were Amy Williams, Emily Hughes, Keeley
Hughson, Louise Goldsmith and Sasha Ellis, all 14-years old. This was Flint's second successive year as PIC champions, although with different teams, showing that the school now has a proud challenge record. Shining
brightest in the Solar category was ‘Magnum Force’ from Test Valley
School, Stockbridge, Hampshire. The team consisted of 15-year olds James
Houghton, Jacob Brill and Jamie Brookes.
The judges included representatives from Toyota and Rapid. Nick
Freeman, Assistant General Manager, External Affairs, Toyota
Manufacturing UK, said: “The quality of competition that we saw at the
National Final was once again outstanding. The students are a credit to
their schools and the attention to detail, pride and passion they have
for technology and engineering is truly inspiring”. His comments were
echoed by Chris Calver, education manager at Rapid: “Congratulations to
‘Magnum Force’ and ‘The Golden Fleeces’. It was a fantastic day on
Saturday. We never fail to be impressed by the innovation, creativity,
skill and enthusiasm shown by all the teams throughout the competition,
which continues to go from strength to strength”.
Over 11,000 pupils from across the UK took part in this year's
competition. The winning teams were rewarded with a trophy, £1,000 in
prize money for their school and an action-packed Alpine adventure
holiday in the French Alps this summer.
Click here for more information about the Toyota Technology Challenge.
