The Davidson Inventors Challenge 2024
A call to all STEM students in Years 11 and 12 from UK Schools.

The Challenge: Research a Sustainable Development Goal and Propose a Solution
The theme of the Davidson Inventors Challenge is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as outlined by the United Nations.
The task of each participating team is to choose one of these goals, research an associated problem, and craft a sustainable, innovative solution.
STEM Students:
Get ready to put your chemical engineering and biotechnology skills into action, while developing essential problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.

How to Enter
STEM Students: Are You Ready to Make a Difference?
Entry is open to all UK based students in Years 11 and 12. Each team must consist of three to five students.
We strongly encourage participation from UK state schools and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
To enter the competition, complete the following steps:
- Register your team by 8th January 2024 using our online form. Registration is now open.
- Submit a team project outline by 26th February 2024
- Submit a short paper addressing the problem and evaluating your solution by 6th May 2024
Registration for the 2024 Davidson Inventors Challenge is now open.
STEM Students: What's In It For You?
The Prize: An Opportunity to Experience Cambridge and Student Life
The Davidson Inventors Challenge winning team will be rewarded with an e-voucher for online purchases and have an exclusive opportunity to sample life at one of our esteemed Cambridge Colleges. The winners will immerse themselves in the Cambridge lifestyle and join us for a day at our department located in the vibrant West Cambridge Campus.
Past Winners: Celebrating Innovation
Below is a list of inventions developed and presented by previous winning teams of the Davidson Inventors Challenge:
2023 Benenden School, Cranbrook
Sustainable flavonoids soaps made of plants against bacterial spreads
2022 Eastbourne College, Eastbourne
A solar water sterilisation system
2021 The Tiffin Girls School in Kingston upon Thames
Honouring the Legacy of a Pioneer
The Davidson Inventors Challenge is named after Cambridge University Emeritus Professor John Davidson, the founding father of fluidisation.
Launched in 2020, the Davidson Inventors Challenge is a competition and outreach initiative encouraging innovation in STEM. We honour his legacy each year by inviting students in Years 11 and 12 to research sustainable development goals, select a problem to address, and present an innovative, sustainable solution that can make a positive global impact.