Posted on / in 'If you were an engineer' Competition

A Night to Remember: Celebrating Local Pupils in East England Pupils at Anglia Ruskin University

These pupils had taken part in a UK-wide competition, run by educational not-for-profit Primary Engineer, where they answered the question “If you were an engineer, what would you do?”. Pupils aged 3-19 are tasked with interviewing an engineer before being asked to identify a problem in the world around them and drawing and annotating a solution and adding a letter explaining why an engineer should choose to build it!

All entries are read and graded by engineering professionals, with every single pupil who takes part receiving a named and graded certificate. They are graded based on the quality of the idea and the problem, large or small, that it is solving. Shortlisted entries are then sent to exclusive judging days where the invited judges, formed from leading industry and engineering professionals, select the designs to be celebrated at 25 regional Award Ceremonies.

The competition culminated on 18th June at Anglia Ruskin University in an exciting regional public exhibition and award ceremony, where teachers, pupils, their families and industry professionals were invited to celebrate local ingenuity and create lasting memories. The shortlisted designs were displayed, and the winners and those who were highly commended were invited on stage to receive their awards, with a surprise award for the judge’s favourite at the end.

The highly commended and winning pupils were awarded trophies and framed certificates of their ideas, with 27 pupils from schools across our ‘East England’ region being celebrated.

Reception

  • Winner – The Mystery Finder by Eden R, White Notley CofE Primary School
  • Winner – Robot Teacher by Jessica B, Wyburns Primary School

Year 1

  • Winner – Garbage Gobbler by Arthur N, Home Educated

Year 2

  • Highly Commended – A Nest Protector by Jessica H, Wyburns Primary School
  • Highly Commended – Seyme Dome by Ethan K, Hethersett, Woodside Primary & Nursery School
  • Winner – Automatic Bridge Transformer by Ayobola A, Stifford Clays Primary School
  • Winner – Smart Back Pack by Mira B, Jerounds Primary Academy

Year 3

  • Highly Commended – Bed Time Helper 2000 by Darcie, Longwood Primary Academy
  • Highly Commended – Language Translator by Marnie-Rose Barnes, Longwood Primary Academy
  • Winner – Robo Terrarium by Joshua M, St Helen’s Catholic Jnr Academy
  • Winner – Aqua Buddy by Aria S, Stifford Clays Primary School

Year 4

  • Highly Commended – The Brick Organiser by Elizabeth H, Jerounds Primary Academy
  • Highly Commended – Mouth Reader by Chloe C, St Helen’s Catholic Jnr Academy
  • Winner – Smart School Safety Back Pack by Ayotade A, Stifford Clays Primary School
  • Winner – Hospital Entertainer by Lexie L, Colchester Prep & High School

Year 5

  • Highly Commended – Pyoor Aqua by Matthew S, Colchester Prep & High School
  • Highly Commended – Dementia Personal Carer by Luca T, St Helen’s Catholic Jnr Academy
  • Winner – Sit Smart by Jade O, Waltham Holy Cross Primary Academy
  • Winner – Sensory Shield by Isabella S, White Notley CofE Primary School

Year 6

  • Highly Commended – Storm Park Power Playground by Sienna B, White Notley CofE Primary School
  • Highly Commended – The Upstairs Chair by Eva K, Snape Primary School
  • Winner – Strap by Charlotte D, Felsted School
  • Winner – Help on Hand by Darcie C, St Helen’s Catholic Jnr Academy

Year 7

  • Winner – Meadow Property by Athalia L, Felsted School
  • Winner – Jack Shovel by Kevin A, Springwood High School

Year 8

  • Winner – 3D Organ/Ligement Printer by Astrid B, Springwood High School
  • Winner – Adaptive Lighting Lamp by Sana G, Springwood High School

Congratulations to all the pupils, including Charlotte D from Felsted School, whose idea ‘Strap’ stood out for the judges and won the special ‘Judges Award’.

Every year University and Industry Partners of Primary Engineer select an idea to turn into a working Prototype from the previous year’s shortlisted designs. The ‘Smart Follow Me Suitcase’ prototype was unveiled at the ceremony, brought to life by Aveva based on the idea of Year 4 pupil, Maya.

Thank you to our National and Regional partners for fully-funding this competition and helping us bringing engineering into classrooms in East England.

Relive the event highlight by viewing the full photo album on Facebook: Primary Engineer | Facebook

The 2026/27 Competition is Officially OPEN so get involved to experience the fun! Register for full competition access and resources here: https://leadersaward.com/resource-area-registration/

Primary Engineer Public Exhibitions and Award Ceremonies continue all over the UK through to July, with thousands of pupils engineering ideas being displayed for all to see. Find out more: https://leadersaward.com/exhibitions-and-events/