Problem Solving Challenge

Teams of six students in Key Stage groups take on an unseen problem solving challenge testing their STEM and work skills.  We hold area heats to compete for a place in the Grand Final.


Upcoming dates and booking information will be published soon
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Years 7-13

Secondary Problem Solving Challenge 2026

Teams of 6 students compete at one of five heats to qualify for the final.  Schools can enter one team from each of Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.   The teams are set a problem to solve, using only the materials provided, within a fixed time.  The qualifying teams from each Key Stage at each heat advance to the final.  

The 2026 heats will take place on the following dates:

          5th February - Tomlinscote School, Frimley

          10th February - George Abbot School, Guildford

          12th February - St Bede’s School, Redhill

          24th February - St John the Baptist School, Woking

          12th March - St Philomena’s Catholic High School, Carshalton


Thank you to the host schools


To Book Your Place Click Here


Student Quotes - What did you enjoy most? 
  • "Thinking outside the box and having to work well as a team in a stressful and time sensitive situation."
  • "As a team we most enjoyed collaborating and communicating ideas in order to maximise success and minimise margin for error."
  • "Being together as a team, tension created excitement."
  • "It was a really fun experience with enjoyment throughout."
You can enter one team per Key Stage per school.  Entry costs £30 per team.


Problem Solving Challenge In Action

The Problem Solving Challenge is an annual event which progresses through 5 regional heats to a Grand Final.  It has been running for over 20 years and will involve nearly 1000 student annually.

Teams compete in teams of six in a desktop engineering challenge for one and half hours using only the materials and guidance provided in a pack.  Each team is judged on reaching a defined set of goals be that height, length, speed or time.  The challenge is to solve the problem using ingenuity, team work and creativity based on STEM skills.

Click the button below to watch the 2018 final!