Challenges & competitions
There are a variety of challenges and competitions you can take part in, which give you the opportunity to develop a detailed understanding of manufacturing and product design. These can be completed as part of your student project and include:
Food and Drink Schools Challenge
The Food and Drink Schools Challenge gives young people the chance to create a new food or drink product and has been developed by the Sector Skills Council for Food and Drink, Improve. As part of this challenge you would look at the different stages of product development through creating a new sandwich, pizza, smoothie, muffin or breakfast bar. You would work with others to decide on product values and manufacturing requirements, as well as consider costings, sales and marketing. You could also have the chance to work with employers which can offer their manufacturing expertise.
You can learn more about this challenge by visiting the ImproveSkills website and reading the case studies below:
- St Margarets High School
- Drummond Community High School
- St Patrick’s High School and Columba High School
PrintIT!
You could also learn about the exciting world of printing through the interactive PrintIT! programme, which has been developed by Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for the process and manufacturing sector. Through mixing theory with practical you would have the opportunity to develop promotional products, as well as gain an understanding of sustainable design and its impact on the environment.
If you are doing the Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design (MPD) at either Foundation or Higher level then PrintIT! could be an option for you and you could have the chance to learn from employers in the printing industry. You can learn more about this programme by visiting the PrintIT! website.
Formula One in Schools Technology Challenge
As part of your Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design (MPD), you could choose to design a CO2 - powered car and take part in the Formula One in Schools Technology Challenge. This would give you the opportunity to put the theory you have learnt into practice.
The challenge will give you the chance to work in a small team to design a car using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and consider the business plan, aerodynamics and budget. You will then showcase what you have learnt and the car you have designed when racing against other teams side-by-side along 20 metre straights. Your design, marketing and presentation skills will also be taken into consideration.
You can learn more about this challenge by visiting the Formula One in Schools Technology Challenge website.
