Engineering Showcase 2026

Yesterday we were proud to welcome employers, educators, trustees, industry partners, parents and alumni to the UTC for one of the highlights of our year - our Year 13 Engineering Showcase 2026.

This event marks the culmination of two years of hard work, creativity and technical development. Our Year 13 students took centre stage, presenting their final projects and talking visitors through their ideas, design decisions and engineering journeys.

As guests toured the showcase, they were able to see first-hand the range and quality of work produced by our students - from initial concept right through to final build. What was on display was genuinely impressive, reflecting not just strong engineering knowledge, but real ambition, innovation and attention to detail.

🔧 Just some of the projects on display included:

• A portable, sensor‑controlled handwashing station designed for use on remote worksites without running water

• A remote‑controlled lawnmower enabling greater independence for users with limited mobility

• An active aerodynamics system for a go‑kart to improve performance and lap times

• A full electric conversion of a Suzuki Jimny, targeting low-cost, sustainable driving

• A robotic football pitch painter capable of marking lines with high accuracy

• A solar-powered tool charging station combining storage and renewable energy

• A 3D printer filament maker turning waste plastic bottles into reusable material

• A motorised assist trolley designed to reduce effort when moving heavy loads

• A thermoelectric generator capturing waste heat from an engine to improve efficiency

• A rehabilitation device to support people with hand spasticity using controlled air pressure

• A robotic arm designed to support patients with limited mobility in reaching objects

• A wearable impact‑detection device to support athlete safety in high-contact sports

• An automated seatbelt release system designed to improve safety in serious vehicle collisions

• A smart crossing system with lighting and vibration to support visually impaired and vulnerable users

• A self‑activating flood barrier using buoyancy to protect properties without external power

  
  

…and that’s just a snapshot! The range of innovation, creativity and technical skill on display was incredible.

What made us especially proud was how our students presented themselves throughout the day. Time and again, we heard from visitors how confident, professional and knowledgeable they were - able to explain complex ideas clearly, answer questions thoughtfully and engage in meaningful conversations about their work and their future pathways.

That confidence and professionalism is exactly what the UTC is all about, and yesterday was a brilliant example of the work‑ready young people our ethos is built on.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to the many employers, industry partners, educators, trustees, alumni and parents who took the time to join us and support our students. Your encouragement, insight and conversations make a real difference and help bring these experiences to life.

And finally, to our Year 13 engineers - we are enormously proud of you. Your commitment, resilience and talent have been outstanding, and yesterday's showcase was a true reflection of everything you’ve achieved over your time here at the UTC. Your futures are incredibly bright and, as many of our visitors commented throughout the day, the future of engineering is in very, very good hands.

If you didn't complete the 'intended destinations' form yesterday, please come and grab one from the main office - we can’t wait to see what you do next!