U3 Rise to the Dyson Engineering Challenge

Miss Sarah Manning – Design Technology Subject Coordinator

Over the Christmas break, our U3 students took on a Dyson Engineering Challenge. The task was to build a chair that could support their own weight using only cardboard. A key rule of the challenge was that no adhesives—such as glue or tape—could be used. This required students to think like structural engineers, focusing on the physical properties of their materials rather than relying on fasteners.

To ensure their designs were stable, students used techniques such as ribbing for strength and slot joints for assembly. These techniques are fundamental in design and technology, as they rely on friction and geometry to create a rigid structure. The project provided a practical introduction to how simple materials can be engineered to handle significant loads through clever interlocking systems.

The challenge was run as a House Competition, and the quality of the entries reflected a high level of effort across the year group. It was excellent to see such a variety of approaches to the problem, from minimalist stools to more complex braced designs. Each entry was tested for durability; entries had to include a photo of someone sitting on their final product.

Congratulations to the four winners who secured points for their houses: Alex (U3Ea) for Bosco, Rupert (U3Wa) for Campion, Isaac (U3Sb) for Magdalene, and Daisy (U3Wa) for Sienna. Their work demonstrated a clear understanding of the brief and effective use of the required engineering techniques.