Entrants are asked to write an essay of either 500 words for 14 to 18 year olds or 750 words for 19 to 24 year olds, in answer to a question that encourages them to explore a wide range of engineering and technology topics. This year’s question is: ‘Are engineering and technology essential for future development?’
By selecting an area they are passionate about, entrants get to test their writing skills and provide their opinion on the impact engineering and technology has on their chosen subject. There is also an opportunity to develop personal learning and thinking skills and to add something different to a portfolio of other work.
Speaking about this year’s competition, President of Bosch in the UK, Peter Fouquet said:
“The Bosch Technology Horizons Award encourages young people to think about engineering and technology that inspires them and perhaps for the first time, to think about how they can be instrumental in turning ideas into reality. The competition is just one small example of how Bosch promotes innovation in everything that it does, from designing the quietest power tools or garden equipment that prevent repetitive strain injury to more efficient washing machines, domestic boilers or hydraulic systems for wind turbines. Bosch technology is all around us and to keep moving forward we need to unearth the young innovators of tomorrow.”
The competition has two age categories; 14 to 18 and 19 to 24 year olds. The first place winner of the younger age group will receive £700 and second place receives £350. There will also be five ’highly commended’ finalists who will be awarded £150 each. For the second age group of 19 to 24 year olds, the winning essay will win a top prize of £1000; with second prize of £500 and the five highly commended finalists will each receive £250
All the finalists will be invited to attend a presentation day in July 2010 at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London, where they can meet leaders in the world of science and technology.
The Bosch Technology Horizons Award is supported by The Royal Academy of Engineering, an independent charity that brings together the country’s most eminent engineers from all disciplines to promote excellence in the science, art and practice of engineering.
Speaking about the launch of the 2010 competition Chief Executive of the Academy Philip Greenish said:
“Advances in engineering have formed the cornerstone of civilisation and responsible development in the future will rely heavily on engineers and technologists. The greatest challenges we face today – addressing climate change, providing sufficient energy and food, and ensuring proper healthcare - all depend on engineering skills and technical expertise. There are many excellent examples in medicine of the vital role of engineering – modern hip replacements and heart valve repairs would be impossible without the amazing skill of the engineering teams that designed and continue to improve them.”
Full information on the competition along with resources for teachers and advice on how to structure a winning essay can be found at: www.bosch.co.uk/technologyhorizons
