Hampshire and Wales schools win Toyota Technology Challenge

Two teams of young engineers are the pride of their schools after winning the top prizes in the National Final of the 2011-12 Toyota Technology Challenge.

On one of the warmest days of the year so far, it was a hot day of competition at Toyota's Manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. Twelve UK schools took part in the final of the competition, which Toyota have developed in partnership with Rapid. Spoils were shared between the sexes with the winning teams being an all-boys team from Test Valley School, Hampshire, and an all-girls outfit from Flint High School, North Wales.

Teams competed in two categories – Solar Power and PIC microcontroller. During the course of the day the teams presented their project and vehicle to a panel of judges. Marks were also given for team identity. The climax for most competitors was the moment they set their creations loose on the Challenge racetrack – a straight race for teams in the Solar Power category, or guiding their vehicle around obstacles for teams in the PIC microcontroller category.

The PIC category was won by ‘The Golden Fleeces’ from Flint High School. The team members were Amy Williams, Emily Hughes, Keeley Hughson, Louise Goldsmith and Sasha Ellis, all 14-years old. This was Flint's second successive year as PIC champions, although with different teams, showing that the school now has a proud challenge record. Shining brightest in the Solar category was ‘Magnum Force’ from Test Valley School, Stockbridge, Hampshire. The team consisted of 15-year olds James Houghton, Jacob Brill and Jamie Brookes.

The judges included representatives from Toyota and Rapid. Nick Freeman, Assistant General Manager, External Affairs, Toyota Manufacturing UK, said: “The quality of competition that we saw at the National Final was once again outstanding. The students are a credit to their schools and the attention to detail, pride and passion they have for technology and engineering is truly inspiring”. His comments were echoed by Chris Calver, education manager at Rapid: “Congratulations to ‘Magnum Force’ and ‘The Golden Fleeces’. It was a fantastic day on Saturday. We never fail to be impressed by the innovation, creativity, skill and enthusiasm shown by all the teams throughout the competition, which continues to go from strength to strength”.

Over 11,000 pupils from across the UK took part in this year's competition. The winning teams were rewarded with a trophy, £1,000 in prize money for their school and an action-packed Alpine adventure holiday in the French Alps this summer.