A clean sweep of all categories for John Colet School, Wendover, in the Amersham, Chesham and Great Missenden Rotary Britain and Ireland Technology Tournament held at the Chiltern Hills Academy, Chesham.
The event was held on the 113th anniversary of the foundation of Rotary. The event was attended by the Mayor of Amersham, Councillor Clive Morgan and the Mayor of Chesham, Councillor Emily Culverhouse.
Technology Tournaments are one-day events for teams of four students from local schools and colleges. Under supervised tournament conditions, students collectively work together to solve the previously unseen task whilst using oral, written and graphical communications skills to compile a project portfolio.
The Tournament was introduced to the Rotary Club of Chesham by the late Derek Upcott, who joined us from the Luton Club over 20 years ago. Derek made a point of interviewing our local head teachers, and ensuring that the project fitted in with their curriculum. The project has now spread throughout the country.
Youngsters in teams of four are asked to make a device out of a small range of simple ingredients. Marks are given for teamwork, planning, and a portfolio, as well as the success of the device. It is called a Tournament, rather than a competition, because it is hoped that all the teams will achieve a measure of success. There are different levels of difficulty, for different age groups. Teachers are encouraged to form a team.
One previous task involved moving a load of provisions across a crocodile infested river, dropping them by remote control, with the device returning. On another occasion they were asked to remove a “radioactive” sphere from an awkwardly shaped box, never approaching nearer than one meter. To the right is a photo of an attempt to make a bridge which takes a substantial weight, using only paper straws and thick paper. It is extraordinary how rigid paper can become if it is carefully folded into corrugations.
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.
There are three age levels for team members; foundation, intermediate or advanced. The degree of complexity of the task is increased at each age level.
The day culminates in a testing session when each team demonstrates their best solution to the task and is judged against the efforts of the competing teams in their age group.
Students who successfully participate are eligible to apply for a CREST Discovery Award.
For several years the Tournament was held at the Leisure Centre, White Hill, in collaboration with the neighbouring Chesham High School, now Chesham Grammar. Last year it was held at the smart new buildings of Chiltern Hill Academy, on 23rd February 2018. We were fortunate to have Ray Payne as our chief judge: he is not only absurdly over-qualified for the job, but he has the knack of explaining how the tasks that they have undertaken apply to problems they will face in the real world.
Timetable |
|
08.30 - 09:20 |
Arrival and registration of teams, allocation of work tables |
09:30 |
Technology Tournament competition begins |
12:00 – 12:30 |
Lunch - most students continue working whilst taking lunch |
13:45 – 14:30 |
Competition testing and judging. Teams will demonstrate their finished task solutions and final judging will be completed |
14:30 – 14:45 |
Results will be announced and awards presented |
15:00 |
Event ends |
'What We Do' Main Pages:
On Wednesday 17th July 2024 the Rotary Club of Chesham were invited to visit Heritage House as a thank you for the work undertaken by some of our members
moreChesham Rotary Club would like to thank residents and visitors to Chesham who supported our Christmas Float over the Christmas period and made our collections for local charities such a success. You can donate here
moreOn Tuesday 17th July 2018 the annual titanic struggle took place between opposing teams for the 'Texas Scramble’ golfing match. This was followed by the putting competition and supper organised and hosted by Inner Wheel.
moreSanta's Sleigh schedule is now finished for Christmas 2023. He has visited streets in and around Chesham.
moreLetters of thanks received by Chesham Rotary
moreChesham Rotary Club held the local round of the National Young Photographer competition, where local youngsters took photos based on a ‘Wild Nature‘ theme.
moreOn Friday the 25th October we held a highly successful Music and Magic evening at Chartridge Park Golf Club
moreThe Rotary Club of Chesham promises to respect the confidentiality of any personal data members or supporters share with us.
moreRotary recognises the service given by one member of the Chiltern Chamber of commerce who has given unselfish support to the community for many years.
moreSilverson Machines Limited recognised for Excellence in Manufacturing and services to the Chesham Community.
moreChesham Rotary has been around for 75 years. We are an organisation of practical action and we are proud of the Chesham community rising to the current challenge.
moreThe Rotary Club of Chesham are supporting Chiltern Music Therapy and other local groups (who have or do support dementia suffers and carers). The walk in the beautiful Chiltern Hills took place on Sunday 4th September 2022.
moreIn Christmas 2017 Chesham Club pushed the technology barrier and used an Online Tracker System to pin point the actual location of Santa directly onto the club website as it was happening.
moreChesham Rotary took children and carers to Whipsnade Zoo on 12th June.
See the letters of thanks from the children on this page
The Rotary Club of Chesham once again organised the annual Stroke Awareness Day on Saturday 12th May 2018
moreThis was an incredible show of local talent by children and adults from Chesham and surrounding area. The versatility, inspiration and professionalism shown by the artistes was absolutely amazing.
moreSanta's Visit Programme for 2021 has been finalised. He will be visiting streets in and around Chesham. Find the Santa Tracker here.
moreThe Youth Council of Chesham organised the inaugural Chesham and Villages Young People Community Awards
moreA Technology Tournament was hosted by the Chiltern Hills Academy on Friday 1st March organised by the Rotary Clubs of Amersham, Chesham, and Great Missenden.
moreOn Friday the 25th October we held a highly successful Music and Magic evening at Chartridge Park Golf Club
moreThousands of youngsters take part every year in our youth competitions which in most cases take the form of regional heats followed by a national final. The majority are categorised into junior, intermediate and advanced age groups.
moreOn the 19th August members of Chesham Club and guests attended President Kalpesh Patel's Barbecue.
moreThe Rotary Young Chef competition was held on Saturday 12th January 2019 at Piper's Corner School
moreOn Wednesday 17th June, President Jeremy Wyman arranged for a special event to mark the end of his Presidency. A VIRTUAL CREAM TEA !!!
moreRotary Club of Chesham's Peace in the Park 2023: A Resounding Success and Celebration of Unity
moreIn May this year Chesham Rotary Club supported Mayor Emily Culverhouse in the Mayor’s Charity Water Slide Event held in Lowndes Park.
moreThe Rotary Clubs of Amersham, Chesham and Great Missenden extend their congratulations to all the winners.
moreLooking for something fun and entertaining to add the “WOW” factor to your event whilst also allowing you to raise additional funds for your cause!! Look no further than using the Rotary Club of Chesham Games.
morePlease use this link if you wish to donate to Chesham Rotary
moreA Technology Tournament was hosted by the Chiltern Hills Academy on Friday 24th February. This was organised by the Rotary Clubs of Chesham, Amersham, and Great Missenden.
moreCelebration of 25 years of the Chess Valley Male Voice Choir. Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Chesham 23rd March 2019
moreAt the end of June, The Rotary Club of Chesham presented two local people with the most prestigious award from Rotary Foundation and International – THE PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP.
moreChesham Rotary Club members were pleased to be involved in this year’s Chesham Schools Carnival, the main event being in Lowndes Park.
moreChesham Rotary has one or two speakers or visitors each month during our meetings. Have a look at what has been happening recently.
moreThe Mayor of Chesham, Rotary Club of Chesham and Chiltern Chamber of Commerce were delighted to present a Special Recognition Award to the students of Chesham Grammar School
moreRotarians Mervyn Edwards and Chris Marsh give their report to members concerning the Christmas 2021 activities
moreSanta's Visit Programme for 2023 has been finalised. He will be visiting streets in and around Chesham.You can get to the Santa Tracker from this page.
moreSome of the photos that were taken during the christmas in Chesham celebrations held on the 24th November 2017
moreThe Technology Tournament for teams of Secondary Schoolchildren. The 2018 Technology Tournament took place on 23rd February at the Chiltern Hills Academy, Chesham.
more