The SAIMechE Technology Olympiad is a National Programme, which aims to bring technology awareness to as may young people as possible, The programme requires learners to use engineering pronciples to build a working model that solves the problem posed by the challenge.
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HOW DOES IT WORK?
At the beginning of each year secondary schools offering Mathematics and Science to grade 12 learners are issued with details of the challenge and they are invited to participate. Once schools have registered their interest in particpating a co-ordinator is assigned to them. We then offer workshops, free of charge, to the school to assist them in designing the project. In July the teams test their designs and submit the result to the co-ordinator. These schools are then invited to take part in the regional competition at various centres in South Africa.
At the beginning of each year secondary schools offering Mathematics and Science to grade 12 learners are issued with details of the challenge and they are invited to participate. Once schools have registered their interest in particpating a co-ordinator is assigned to them. We then offer workshops, free of charge, to the school to assist them in designing the project. In July the teams test their designs and submit the result to the co-ordinator. These schools are then invited to take part in the regional competition at various centres in South Africa.
The motivation for winning is terrific. In 2008 the winners went to the UK for a week. While there they visited various engineering companies. They were also awarded bursaries for future study. The runners-up visit local engineering companies and are introduced to the fascinating world of engineering.
The Techonology Olympiad was the brain child of the SAIMechE. On celebrating their first century in 1992, while proud of the part its members has played in contributing to the growth of South African industry and econonmy, they realised the importance of encouraging young people to be part of the future engineering environment. Thus the Technology Olympiad started.
CREATING TOMORROWS ENGINEERS TODAY
The top teams from the regional finals are then invited to the National Competition.
Here the teams have to demonstrate their working models and explain them to a panel of judges and visitors. They also participate in a "surprise workshop" demonstrating their expertise and understanding of Engineering principals used in the development of their model.
Here the teams have to demonstrate their working models and explain them to a panel of judges and visitors. They also participate in a "surprise workshop" demonstrating their expertise and understanding of Engineering principals used in the development of their model.
