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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.

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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: Technology/computing

Design and technology

Engineering

Maths

Physics
Curriculum links: 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

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: