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If you were an engineer, what would you do?
A UK-wide STEM competition tasking students with interviewing an engineer, and identifying a problem in the world around them they want to solve.
The Neon quality mark shows this activity has been reviewed and meets Neon's quality standards.
Overview
A free national STEM competition which challenges young people to think like engineers by interviewing a real engineer and identifying a problem in the world around them that they would like to solve.
All resources are curriculum‑mapped and freely accessible, and teachers receive direct support from the Primary Engineer team to answer any questions.
Schools are connected with engineers who can visit classrooms in person or join online, giving pupils an authentic insight into engineering careers.
Each participant creates an annotated drawing of their invention and writes a letter explaining their idea. Entries are graded by engineering professionals, and every pupil receives a named certificate recognising their achievement. To make participation simple, FREEPOST is provided to qualifying schools for submissions.
Outstanding designs are shortlisted for public exhibitions across the country, and winning pupils and their families are invited to regional Award Ceremonies held between May and July. These events celebrate creativity and innovation on a national stage, with thousands of ideas exhibited and hundreds of pupils recognised each year.
The competition offers an inspiring way to develop problem‑solving, literacy and communication skills while engaging with real engineers at no cost to schools.
This competition runs annually and schools can enter between September and March each year.
Details
- School subject
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- Technology/computing
- Design and technology
- Engineering
- Maths
- Physics
- Curriculum links
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- Biology
- Engineering
- Computing
- Physics: Electricity and electromagnetism
- Biology: Material cycles and energy
- Physics: Energy
- Physics: Space physics
- Design and technology
- Sciences - Biological systems
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics: Application of engineering
- Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Electricity
- Computing science
- Sciences - Planet earth: Energy sources and sustainability
- Sciences - Planet earth
- Sciences - Planet earth: Space
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics
- Design thinking and engineering: Engineering
- Physics: Electricity
- Physics: Energy transfer
- Physics
- Sciences - Organisms and health
- Technology & design - Manufacturing
- Technology & design - Communication: Use of ICT tools (including 3D modelling)
- Sciences - Forces and energy: Using electricity
- Technology & design - Control: Incorporate control systems in products
- Sciences - Earth and universe: The environment and human influences
- Sciences - Forces and energy
- Technology & design - Control
- Sciences - Earth and universe: The solar system and universe
- Technology & design - Design
- Group size
- Whole class
- Participation level
- Watching or listening, Independent work
- Duration
- Multi-session - set days
- Dates
- 1 September 2025 – 31 August 2026
- Cost
- Free
- Location
-
In-school
- UK-wide
Learning outcomes
- Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
- Learning what the engineering workplace is like
- Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
- Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
Frameworks
Gatsby benchmarks
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
- 3 - Addressing the needs of each pupil
- 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers
- 5 - Encounters with employers and employees
- 6 - Experiences of workplaces
EqualEx
The equalex framework allows educators to embed meaningful workplace experiences within a progressive whole school careers programme.
- Introduce and Inspire
Essential skills
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
-
-
Enrichment framework
- 7 - An outcomes-focused enrichment offer
- 5 - An accessible and engaging enrichment offer
