There were three levels of difficulty, for different age groups. This is called a Tournament rather than a competition, because it is hoped that everyone would achieve a measure of success. Marks are given for teamwork and design, as well as for the finished product. They all worked hard, and came up with a large number of different designs.
All participants received a Certificate, which can help with their C.V.s in future, and the winning members each received a token prize to remember the event.
This Tournament was introduced to Chesham many years ago by the late Rev Derek Upcot, and has now spread throughout Britain. The Derek Upcot Memorial Cup was presented to The John Colet School.
The highlight of the event was watching all the devices being tested, and a speech by our Chief Judge, Ray Payne. He is a professor of Engineering, and a well-known local resident, and was able to explain how solving problems like this apply in the real world, illustrated by features of the various devices produced.
Pictured from left, Rotary District Governor Andy Calvert, Mayor of Chesham Majid Ditta, Ms Chapman, Mayor of Amersham Mark Roberts, and the Deputy Mayor of Chesham Wilford Augustus.
Below is an article from Chiltern Hills Newsletter describing the event:
On Friday 24 February Chiltern Hills, in association with The Rotary Club of Chesham, hosted a technology tournament. Schools from across the region sent teams of 4 to compete across 3 different age categories; Foundation (ages 11-14), Intermediate (15-16) and Advance (17-19).
The challenge this year involved students needing to remove a tennis ball from within a perspex box and then place it onto a set place from around 1.5m away. The task was based around the real life scenario of moving radioactive material from decommissioned nuclear submarines here in the United Kingdom. The task had been set by chief judge and senior engineering lecturer from the University of Auckland, Ray Payne.
Once the formal introductions were out of the way, all students began to assess the task and the materials with which they had been provided. Planning came easier to some groups then others but all were clearly working as a team to find a solution. Some started building before finalising their planning stages and this only became an issue towards the end of the task when they started to run out of materials. Others produced amazing plans but then lacked the dexterity to make their plans a reality. That all being said, all teams managed to produce something by the end of the day that they were then able to test them in front of the judges.
Throughout the day we had dignitaries from across the local community come and visit and see the young people of the region working well and interacting with each other.
Over the course of the day the group of judges were circulating and assessing the students across a range of different areas, including teamwork, planning, manufacturing and how well their final products achieved the objectives of the task.
We entered a team into all three categories. They were;
Foundation: Ollie Orchard, Charlie Elton-Jones, Tilly Guerin, Antonia Lee
Intermediate: Sara Thompson Garcia-Miguel, Benjamin Watt, Summer-Rose Greed, Oscar Testa
Advanced: Ayman Ahmed, Haleem Nazakat, Mikhail Tariq
All three teams did themselves, us and the school proud, with both the intermediate and advance groups winning their categories.
I would like to thank all the staff that came and supported the students across the day, as well as the catering and site team for helping the day to run smoothly. Finally I would like to thank The Rotary Club of Chesham and, in particular, David Unwin and Jeremy Wyman. Without the time and effort these people put in, events like Friday just would not be possible.
Mr P Toovey
Director of Science
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moreSilverson Machines Limited recognised for Excellence in Manufacturing and services to the Chesham Community.
moreRotary recognises the service given by one member of the Chiltern Chamber of commerce who has given unselfish support to the community for many years.
moreChesham Rotary has been around for 75 years. We are an organisation of practical action and we are proud of the Chesham community rising to the current challenge.
moreRotarians Mervyn Edwards and Chris Marsh give their report to members concerning the Christmas 2021 activities
moreA Technology Tournament was hosted by the Chiltern Hills Academy on Friday 24th February. This was organised by the Rotary Clubs of Chesham, Amersham, and Great Missenden.
moreThe Rotary Club of Chesham are supporting Chiltern Music Therapy and other local groups (who have or do support dementia suffers and carers). The walk in the beautiful Chiltern Hills took place on Sunday 4th September 2022.
moreIn Christmas 2017 Chesham Club pushed the technology barrier and used an Online Tracker System to pin point the actual location of Santa directly onto the club website as it was happening.
moreChesham Rotary took children and carers to Whipsnade Zoo on 12th June.
See the letters of thanks from the children on this page
The Rotary Club of Chesham once again organised the annual Stroke Awareness Day on Saturday 12th May 2018
moreThis was an incredible show of local talent by children and adults from Chesham and surrounding area. The versatility, inspiration and professionalism shown by the artistes was absolutely amazing.
moreSanta's Visit Programme for 2021 has been finalised. He will be visiting streets in and around Chesham. Find the Santa Tracker here.
moreA Technology Tournament was hosted by the Chiltern Hills Academy on Friday 1st March organised by the Rotary Clubs of Amersham, Chesham, and Great Missenden.
moreThousands of youngsters take part every year in our youth competitions which in most cases take the form of regional heats followed by a national final. The majority are categorised into junior, intermediate and advanced age groups.
moreOn the 19th August members of Chesham Club and guests attended President Kalpesh Patel's Barbecue.
moreThe Rotary Young Chef competition was held on Saturday 12th January 2019 at Piper's Corner School
moreOn Wednesday 17th June, President Jeremy Wyman arranged for a special event to mark the end of his Presidency. A VIRTUAL CREAM TEA !!!
moreOn Wednesday 17th July 2024 the Rotary Club of Chesham were invited to visit Heritage House as a thank you for the work undertaken by some of our members
moreIn May this year Chesham Rotary Club supported Mayor Emily Culverhouse in the Mayor’s Charity Water Slide Event held in Lowndes Park.
moreThe Rotary Clubs of Amersham, Chesham and Great Missenden extend their congratulations to all the winners.
morePlease use this link if you wish to donate to Chesham Rotary
moreOn Friday the 25th October we held a highly successful Music and Magic evening at Chartridge Park Golf Club
moreCelebration of 25 years of the Chess Valley Male Voice Choir. Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Chesham 23rd March 2019
moreAt the end of June, The Rotary Club of Chesham presented two local people with the most prestigious award from Rotary Foundation and International – THE PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP.
moreChesham Rotary Club members were pleased to be involved in this year’s Chesham Schools Carnival, the main event being in Lowndes Park.
moreThe Mayor of Chesham, Rotary Club of Chesham and Chiltern Chamber of Commerce were delighted to present a Special Recognition Award to the students of Chesham Grammar School
moreChesham Rotary has one or two speakers or visitors each month during our meetings. Have a look at what has been happening recently.
moreLooking for something fun and entertaining to add the “WOW” factor to your event whilst also allowing you to raise additional funds for your cause!! Look no further than using the Rotary Club of Chesham Games.
moreThe Youth Council of Chesham organised the inaugural Chesham and Villages Young People Community Awards
moreChesham Rotary Club would like to thank residents and visitors to Chesham who supported our Christmas Float over the Christmas period and made our collections for local charities such a success. You can donate here
moreOn Friday the 25th October we held a highly successful Music and Magic evening at Chartridge Park Golf Club
moreOn Tuesday 17th July 2018 the annual titanic struggle took place between opposing teams for the 'Texas Scramble’ golfing match. This was followed by the putting competition and supper organised and hosted by Inner Wheel.
moreLetters of thanks received by Chesham Rotary
moreChesham Rotary Club held the local round of the National Young Photographer competition, where local youngsters took photos based on a ‘Wild Nature‘ theme.
moreRotary Club of Chesham's Peace in the Park 2023: A Resounding Success and Celebration of Unity
moreSanta's Visit Programme for 2023 has been finalised. He will be visiting streets in and around Chesham.You can get to the Santa Tracker from this page.
moreSome of the photos that were taken during the christmas in Chesham celebrations held on the 24th November 2017
moreThe Technology Tournament for teams of Secondary Schoolchildren. The 2018 Technology Tournament took place on 23rd February at the Chiltern Hills Academy, Chesham.
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