CEB-The Davidson Inventors Challenge 2024

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?

Learn more about chemical engineering and biotechnology and its role in tackling the biggest global challenges

Develop your problem-solving and critical thinking skills

Have fun working on a team project

Get feedback and support from our mentors and industry experts

Attendance to a series of professional webinars on topics of interest delivered by experts to help you throughout the competition

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:

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.