The Dreambig Innovation Challenge invites Transition Year students to identify a real problem in their school, local community, or everyday environment and to develop an engineering-informed solution.
Students are not expected to create a perfect product. Instead, they are encouraged to think like engineers — understanding problems, designing ideas, testing concepts, and improving solutions.
The focus is on process, creativity, and real-world thinking, rather than technical complexity.
Students will:
Identify a problem
Choose a real issue that affects everyday lives of the people, or the environment in their school or community.
Understand the problem
Consider who the problem affects, why it matters, and what a successful solution would achieve.
Design a solution
Generate and develop an idea that responds to the problem in a practical and realistic way.
Test and refine ideas
Explore how the idea could work, identify weaknesses, and improve it through iteration.
Communicate their thinking
Present their solution, explaining design decisions, challenges, and learning.
Student solutions may be communicated through a range of the following:
Sketches and annotated drawings
CAD models
3D printing
Coding and micro:bit technology solutions
Physical prototypes or scale models
Digital simulations or presentations
Design logs or reflective journals
Showcase your work
Your final work will be showcased at the Dreambig Expo at TUS Athlone in May 2026 - a celebration of creativity, engineering, and innovation.
Teachers should use this rubric to give students guidance:
Clear understanding of a real community need
Strong rationale for the chosen problem
Evidence of local relevance (Midlands context encouraged)
Originality and innovation
Suitability of the solution to the identified problem
Thoughtfulness of design features
Use of appropriate methods (CAD, sketching, prototyping, modelling, coding etc.)
Clear demonstration of technical decision-making
Feasibility of the concept as a working solution
Awareness of materials, processes, and manufacturing constraints
Consideration of assembly, maintenance, durability
Link to modern manufacturing practices in the Midlands
Material choices
Waste reduction strategies
Long-term environmental benefit
Social or community impact
Devices for accessibility
Supports for older residents
Enhancements to shared community spaces
Simple sensor-based solutions
Energy-saving devices
Monitoring tools for facilities or environments
Reusable or re-manufacturable products
Solutions that reduce local waste
Designs using recycled or bio-based materials
Tools that solve small but annoying problems
Storage, organisation, or convenience products
School-based innovations