Putting young people’s STEM skills to the test.

What is a Rotary Technology Tournament?

Pupils, typically in groups of four, have to solve an interactive technology-based task and are required to design, develop and build a solution with the materials supplied.

Tournaments culminate in the testing session when teams demonstrate their best solution to the task and can observe the efforts of competing teams.

Stewards are on hand to guide the pupils throughout and offer a helping hand where necessary to ensure everyone gets the most from the experience. The tournament is judged by Rotary members and guests with backgrounds in engineering, technology and design.

As STEM subjects continue to be a key part of the school curriculum, Rotary Technology Tournaments support not only academic learning, but teach skills such as teamwork, communication and timekeeping.

Students who successfully participate are eligible to apply for a CREST Discovery Award

Who can take part?

Technology Tournaments are designed for secondary school pupils aged 11-16, with an advanced age level for 16 to 18-year olds. Download a pamphlet here and a Poster

There are also Junior Technology Tournaments which Rotary delivers in partnership with the Rochester Bridge Trust, with simpler tasks designed specifically for 8 to 11-year-olds in primary and junior schools.

Taking on a similar design, develop, build and test format, the Junior Technology Tournament is designed to be suitable for younger children and smaller educational settings and can take place across a whole day, two half days or four ‘twilight’ sessions of around one hour. Download a leaflet   

All costs are paid by the organising Rotary clubs and there is no entry cost to school teams other than any potential transport to and from the event – although many events are held within the school environment.

How to get involved

To create or take part in a Technology Tournament in your area, please contact the District 1070 Technology Tournament coordinator and  we’ll point you in the right direction.