Young engineering talent impresses MTA judges

Open to all Technology and Design students, the nation-wide competition is split into two age groups: 14-16 years old and 17-19 years old. The 12 finalists were chosen by the MTA’s Education and Training committee and the final judging and award ceremony took place on 9th July at the Yamazaki Mazak European Headquarters in Worcester.

The two overall winners were: Ben Murray, from Balcarras School, Cheltenham, in the 14-16 years category with his design for a hand held stabiliser for filming on a mobile phone and Charlie Smith, from Sedbergh School, Cumbria, in the 17-19 years category for his innovative ‘SOLA’, a water heating stove for outdoor expeditions.

The MTA's TDI Challenge exists to help teachers and lecturers promote the great work of their D&T and Engineering students and to celebrate the creativity and innovation taking place inside the curriculum. The TDI Challenge is free to enter for all students and schools.

Howard Bamforth, chair of the judges and sales director of 600 UK, said: "The judging panel were impressed with the high calibre of this year's finalists and the range of different technologies they used. That made judging this year particularly difficult but two entries stood out even from such a high quality field. Charlie Smith and Ben Murray both presented work of very high standard that had been thoroughly researched, well manufactured and were virtually ready for sale. Congratulations to them and their schools."