YOUNGSTERS are gearing up to take part in the York Rotary Club’s technology tournament 2011.

The three city Rotary Clubs have confirmed that the 2011 event will be held at the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York on Tuesday, March 15.

Teams of four students from schools across York will work against the clock to design, build and demonstrate a practical solution to a technical and engineering problem.

The tasks will be set at basic, intermediate and advance levels to conform to elements in the national curriculum. All the materials required to meet the challenge will be provided by the three rotary clubs.

Mike Fieldsend, chairman of the organising group, said: “This will be the sixth annual tournament held at the railway museum and nearly 1,000 youngsters from 17 schools in the York area have competed.

“The youngsters really get focused and competitive and it’s great to see the way they work as teams.

“The teachers also enjoy the way their pupils respond to the challenge in the marvellous atmosphere of the railway museum and turn the theory into the practical solutions.

“So far we have 36 teams taking part and I would encourage schools to get their act together and register their interest before all the 50 places are taken up.”

Hannah Collingridge, from the NRM, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Rotary Club to our Science Week for the sixth year running. Their workshops have certainly proved popular in the past and we’re hoping the 2011 schools tournament will be just as successful with some interesting inventions from the students.

“Schools can also enjoy hands-on Discovery Days on March 10 and 11, while families can grab their lab coats and goggles to join in the science fun at our public Discovery Day on Saturday, March 12, and also at the two-day Record Breakers event on March 19 and 20 which is definitely set to be a racy one.”

Application forms for the tournament are available online at yorkvikingsrotary.org.uk and should be submitted to Peter Brooks, 5 Gill Croft Court, Easingwold, Y061 3GX, by January 21.