Rotary Technology Tournaments

Technology Tournaments are one-day events for teams of four students from local schools and colleges. they are a challenging and enjoyable way for young people to enrich their STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Under supervised tournament conditions, students collectively work together to solve the previously unseen technology-based task whilst using oral, written and graphical communications skills to compile a project portfolio.

The task aims to test the collective knowledge, ingenuity, innovation and manual skills of the four students and their ability to work as a team.

What is a Rotary Technology Tournament?

Rotary Technology Tournaments are a challenging and enjoyable way for young people to enrich their STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

The young people, typically in teams 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 teams 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Technology Tournaments are held at a number of venues within District 1180!

The aim of the tournament is to encourage young people to see design and technology as attractive and challenging; to provide opportunities for team building and practicing communication skills, as well as resolving a design and technology problem. The Rotary Technology Tournaments (RTT) are a fantastic platform for engaging young minds in hands on learning in a fun, practical way. They enhance their STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), teamwork, communication, timekeeping and other skills they can use in their careers and life.

Teams of four students are presented with problems to solve, categorised as ‘Foundation', ‘Intermediate' or ‘Advanced'.  

The Foundation tasks are designed for students in Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 14), Intermediate tasks are intended for Key Stage 4 (ages 15 to 16) and Advanced tasks are for students in years 12 and 13 (Sixth Form).

Judges (who kindly give their time freely) come from various walks of life being business men and women, educationalists, engineers and scientists (from Higher Education and Industry).

An exciting day of activity is enjoyed by all.

Full details for the public can be found here, with additional documentation available to Rotary members through these links for Technology Tournament and Junior Technology Tournament.

This year's TT's are planned for Autumn at various high schools. Additional TT's welcomed - Rotarians should contact Steve to see what is involved. Steve will happily guide and advise.

For examples of the tasks from previous years, and for further information please contact Steve Blakesley - contact below.