The Alu D&T Challenge 2012 winners

The Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) has launched the second annual Alu Design and Technology (D&T) challenge, a national competition for 11-14 year olds that encourages pupils to think about the ‘importance’ of sustainable design using aluminium.

According to Alupro, the competition aims to communicate the ‘recycling message’ to the next generation, whilst educating students about the ‘sustainability potential’ of aluminium, which is ‘infinitely’ recyclable. Moreover, it hopes the challenge will remind young designers about aluminium’s increasing use, for example in smartphones, cars, drinks cans and buildings.

Competition details

The competition, which returns for a second year, is endorsed by the Design & Technology Association (DATA), and is part of a free D&T online teaching resource developed by Alupro in partnership with the Aluminium Federation (ALFED) and aluminium recycler Novelis UK.

Entrants have been asked to design ‘a product for the future’ using aluminium, for one of three design categories: Transport, Building, and Packaging Recycling.

Once submitted, entries will be assessed by a panel of ‘expert’ judges in the fields of packaging, recycling, transport and architecture, and DATA.

Winning students in each category will win a second-generation 16-colour 3D printer worth £1,000 for their school, plus £200 in vouchers; the best team entry across the categories will also be awarded with the same prize.

Subsequently, all winners will be invited to a prize-giving event for winners and their teachers at the Thinktank Science Museum in Birmingham, in March 2014.

Last year’s challenge saw entries from almost 1,000 pupils, with six winners selected.

Launching the 2013 competition, Marketing and Communications Manager of Alupro, Diana Caldwell, said: We are looking for as many schools as possible to get involved in the challenge this year. The challenge website has everything teachers need to get involved, including suggestions for using the challenge in lessons or as part of a STEM Club or homework project, and a video case study of last year’s winners.

“The more students we get involved, the wider our audience participation and the greater awareness we will see of the value of aluminium, its sustainability and therefore its importance in product design.”

There is no entry fee and no limit to the number of entries a school can submit. Entries must be submitted by 17 January 2014.

To get involved contact Alupro or visit the Alu D&T challenge website.