5 June 2006

School pupils face high speed university challenge

***WINNERS OF THE DUTECH CHALLENGE WERE:***
1ST PLACE: CARNOUSTIE HIGH SCHOOL
2ND PLACE: WEBSTER'S HIGH SCHOOL
3RD PLACE: FORFAR ACADEMY

Photo opportunity: Wednesday June 7 at 3.45pm (prizegiving)
Bonar Hall
University of Dundee
Perth Road

Senior pupils from schools across Tayside, Fife and Central region will be putting their engineering and communication skills to the test when they take part in the annual Dundee University Technology and Engineering Challenge (DUTECH) on June 7.

The fourth and fifth year pupils will be tasked with designing, building and marketing a mystery product as part of the challenge which is organised by the Divisions of Electronic Engineering and Physics and Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics.

To make the competition even tougher the teams, representing a total of 14 schools, have only a few hours to complete the test.

"The projects are essentially engineering based and allow the students the chance to gain an insight into what life is like as a practising engineer," explained Dr Alan Slade, DUTECH organiser.

"But engineering is not just about building things. It is also about communicating your ideas to others, especially those who have to make them, knowing your market and being able to convince the market that your idea is the best."

"To this end the teams also have to produce a press release, advertising poster and a set of drawings."

Dr Slade added that the event, held in the Bonar Hall, was aimed at introducing potential engineering undergraduates to life at the university.

"The idea is to offer an insight into student life and show that there are lots of opportunities for hands on practical tasks."

Individual and school prizes will be awarded to the three teams judged to be best overall.

Schools participating in the event are:

Arbroath Academy
Arbroath High School
Auchterarder High School
Brechin High School
Carnoustie High School
Forfar Academy
Grove Academy
Monifieth High School
Morgan Academy, Dundee
Perth Grammar School
St John’s High School, Dundee
Waid Academy, Anstruther
Wallace High School
Webster’s High School, Kirriemuir

For more information contact:

Hilary McNally
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: h.mcnally@dundee.ac.uk