CHILDREN from schools across York are taking up the challenge to put their technology skills tot he test.

The technology tournament organised by York city’s three Rotary Clubs is being held on February 27 and entries from schools are presently being accepted. Entrance to the event is limited to pupils, staff, judges and organisers - places are limited to 35 teams.

So far pupils from All Saints RC, Ampleforth College, Bootham, Fulford, Joseph Rowntree, Millthorpe, Vale of York Academy (formerly Canon Lee) and The Mount have been signed up.

Rotary in York consists of: York Rotary Club, Rotary York Ainsty and York Vikings Rotary Club.

Tournaments are run by Rotary throughout the UK and are formulated to test students’ design and technology skills engaged as a team. They work in teams of four in three age sectors: foundation, intermediate and advanced.

Bringing their own tools, which they would use in their normal school technology lessons, they are given a brief on the day to design and build a ‘construction’ in a set time (usually four hours) and, after this, demonstrate the workings of the item to the judges.

Marks are awarded on the success of their ‘construction’ and also on a ‘script’ which they compile during the project detailing how they approached the task, the design and how they built it. Certificates are awarded to the three top teams in each age sector. VIPs from Rotary, schools and the Civic Party are due to attend.

Thanks to the generosity of Portakabin, the York area tournament is held at its head office in Huntington.

Further details and an application form can be found on the York City Rotary Club web site http://www.yorkrotary.co.uk/technology-tournament/4589151258