We began the day with engaging activities for Year 7, 8, and 9 learners. Each year group participated in different hands-on projects: Year 7 constructed cars, Year 8 designed gliders, and Year 9 developed rockets.

Air Car Championships

During the event, our Year 7s took part in the exhilarating Air Car Championships, designing and building mini race cars to compete in a 10-meter compressed air sprint. The fastest cars raced in a knockout final to crown the quickest in Dudley Academies Trust.

Glider Challenge

Next up, our Year 8s showcased their engineering prowess in the Glider Challenge. Each school built a glider to carry 3 Micro Machine cars the furthest distance without damage. The winning team’s design soared above the rest, securing their victory with a flawless flight.

Rocket Challenge

The Year 9 Rocket Challenge had our learners designing toy rockets to launch high and safely return a Crème Egg using a parachute. The goal was to fly the highest and return the egg safely.

Coding Challenge

During the Coding Challenge, secondary learners used the iRobot Root and code.irobot.com to program a robot through a set course. The aim was to combine speed and logic to achieve victory.

3D Design Challenge

In the 3D Design Challenge, learners had 25 minutes to design a stackable block in Onshape and export it to Bambu Studio for printing. They had to focus on speed, precision, and teamwork.

Technology Showcase Awards

The judging session, was a critical moment as each year group had 20 minutes to present their projects. While the judges deliberated, parents, carers, and guests started arriving, filling the canteen with eager anticipation for the Awards Ceremony scheduled in the auditorium.

The Awards Ceremony was the highlight of the afternoon. We celebrated the exceptional efforts of our learners with awards in various categories:

• Winner – Year 7 Car Team Award – Beacon Hill Academy  (Libby B, Serenity P and Faith E).
• Runner up – Year 7 Car Team Award – The Link Academy (Kai K, Hassan M, James H).
• Winner – Year 8 Glider Team Award – The Link Academy (Harry B, Fatimer Z, Jessica K).
• Runner up – Year 8 Glider Team Award – St James Academy (Layla W, Layla S and learner).
• Winner – Year 9 Rocket Team Award – The Link Academy (Joseph A, Mohammad M, Marcus N).
• Runner up – Year 9 Rocket Team Award – Pegasus Academy (Angel M, Professor A, Jasmine S).
• Winner – Coding Challenge – St James Academy, Year 8 (Layla W, Layla S, learner).
• Winner – 3D Printing Challenge – St James Academy, Year 9 (Talyse C, Amelia H and Ishayu M).
• Winner - Partners Award - Ishayu M, Year 9 at St James Academy.
• Winner - DAT Student of the Year - Joseph C, Year 7 at St James Academy.

Learners from the Trust’s secondary schools were also acknowledged for their contributions to technology. We honoured a Design & Technology Champion from each of the four secondary schools within the Trust:

• Winner – DT Champion of the Year (Beacon Hill Academy) – Mia T, Year 9.
• Winner – DT Champion of the Year (Pegasus Academy) – Year 8 learner.
• Winner – DT Champion of the Year for (The Link Academy) – Mohammad M, Year 9.
• Winner – DT Champion of the Year for (St James Academy) – Layla S, Year 8.

Congratulations to all the participants for your hard work and dedication. We are incredibly proud of our learners and their accomplishments. This year's Technology Showcase has not only highlighted your talent but also underscored the importance of fostering creativity and innovation in education.

As Daniel Brittle, our Director of Technology, aptly put it,

"Our learners have shown extraordinary innovation and creativity. Their work today is nothing short of inspirational."

The Trust extends heartfelt gratitude to our judges: Jo Higgins, CEO of Dudley Academies Trust; Vanessa Currie from Millennium Point and Board of Trustee for Dudley Academies Trust; and Phil Steele from the Institute of Technology. Your expertise and support were invaluable.

A special thank you goes to the Institute of Technology for hosting this event. Your generosity and commitment to education have made this a resounding success.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event. We look forward to seeing even more impressive projects and achievements at next year’s event.