The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) says its ‘flagship’ Technology, Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge competition for secondary school entrepreneurial STEM students “has once again showcased the skills and imagination of the UK’s young engineers. The annual competition stands as a fantastic tribute to the next generation of technologists, together with their schools and teachers.”

Renishaw’s Stewart Lane, who is chairman of the MTA’s education and development committee, as well as chairman of the TDI judging panel, said: “I am always impressed by the quality of TDI entries, and this year has been no exception. The standard of entries was high with excellent supporting materials, they were a credit to everyone that entered.”

The 2021 TDI Challenge was open to all young people aged 16-19 and tasked them with ‘showcasing their creative talent’. They had to come up with their own design for a new product or concept, explain its application and produce a video (no longer than 2min), to demonstrate how and why their invention would benefit users.

They were free to enter their ‘Design and Technology’ coursework from their school or college, or submit a completely different idea if they preferred.

The winner was Ella Freeman (Henrietta Barnett School, in London) for her ‘Modular Mobility Aid’ for those needing support or rehabilitation. Comprising three products in one, it easily transforms from a walking frame into crutches or into a walking stick depending on what the user’s needs are and how they may change over time.

In second place was Nirmay Jadhav (Queen Elizabeth’s School, in London) who entered his Hex-Exsiccator, a filament dehydrator for 3-D printing material that leads to cleaner and more consistent prints.

Third place was awarded to Caitlyn Crisp (Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern, in Cardiff) for her Baitlyn Brush, a two-in-one toilet brush/bleach dispenser that can dispense bleach at the point of contact in the toilet.

The winner received a £200 Amazon voucher, with £100 and £50 vouchers going to the runner-up and third place, respectively. The top three also win a day out with the University of Wolverhampton Race Team, experiencing an F3 race day. Their schools will also receive a voucher to allow them to purchase kit for their classroom from their preferred D&T equipment supplier.