Now open: 2017 Schools' Competition and Big Bang Eastern

Schools' Engineering and Technology Competition: Wed 28 June 2017, Anglia Ruskin University

Our 2017 Schools' Engineering and Technology Competition is now open for entries. The dates are as follows:

• The competition will take place on Wednesday 28 June 2017
• The awards evening will take place on Wednesday 19 July 2017

(Note that the competition has moved from a Friday to a Wednesday).

See our school events listings to add these to your calendar.

Find out more about the competition, and how to enter, here.

This year we are working in collaboration with the Big Bang Eastern to hold a joint event. We strongly encourage you to enter the Big Bang if you are also entering our competition (follow link and click "Book places to attend"). All the judging will be done in parallel so you stand a greater chance of winning some prizes and can effectively attend both competitions on the same day.

We look forward to seeing you in June!

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IET says it's "time to involve the people"

Research undertaken by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) – one of our partners – has found that, despite considerable investment by the UK government, local authorities and businesses, there is a basic lack of awareness among the British public about what a smart city is, does, and its potential to improve citizens' quality of life.

My Smarter Essex aims to fix that, by implementing the three objectives defined in the IET Smart Cities report.

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Poll results from My Smarter Essex

My Smarter Essex, which took place on 6 October 2016 at Anglia Ruskin University, included a number of real-time, interactive polls that gathered the audience's opinions on some of the issues raised during the presentations. This was in addition to the free-form questions and comments submitted by those who attended.

We can confirm that 125 people took part in the polls, and their responses – along with our commentary – is now available.

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Thurstable School EPQ

We were pleased to present a bursary cheque to Thurstable School following a successful application for funding for an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) requiring some specific materials.

Congratulations to Correy Andrews for his demonstration of an engine using an oxyhydrogen generator as its power source, which was Highly Commended at our 2017 Schools' Competition.

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My Smarter Essex follow-up questions

Thank you to everyone who made the My Smarter Essex event on 6 October 2016 such a fantastic success.

Poll results from My Smarter Essex
Photos from My Smarter Essex

The level of interest, enthusiasm and engagement from all parties (especially the student audience) was overwhelming and we now have a vast wealth of comments, questions and issues to pore over!

In the coming months we will discuss the big issues that face us as we move towards a smarter Essex. In the meantime, we'd like to answer some of the more specific questions submitted during the presentations:

• How does the heart rate monitor app (Cardio Buddy) work?
• What is the relative efficiency of the lighting technologies shown?
• What is "Bluejacking"?
• Where do I buy a Cozfest t-shirt?

Follow the links or read on for answers...

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What is 'Cozfest' and where do I buy the t-shirt?

This article is part of a series of follow-up questions on the My Smarter Essex presentations.

Many, many people wanted to know the answer to this question. It was submitted numerous times to the question/comment messaging board at My Smarter Essex on 6 October.

Well, the short answer is here: https://www.facebook.com/landforcoz/.

Read on to find out what Cozfest is and why Adam (pictured) was wearing that t-shirt...

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Photos from My Smarter Essex

The photos from My Smarter Essex, held on Thursday 6 October 2016 at Anglia Ruskin University, are now available.

Thank you to everyone who attended and who made the event such a success. This is just the start of a major project; more to follow...

Click here to see the photos

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Lighting efficiency study

This article is part of a series of follow-up questions on the My Smarter Essex presentations.

Over the years illumination in houses has become more efficient. This has been achieved in three ways:

1. The light emission medium generates more lumens (light) per watt (unit of power).
2. The light emission spectrum better matches that of the eye receptors.
3. The luminaire (the overall fixture) has become more efficient at directing light to its desired place.

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