KS3 student competition
Bring your ideas to life with the MonkMakes Servo Kit for the Microbit. This exciting competition introduces Key Stage 3 students to the thrilling world of mechatronics – the real-world engineering blending coding and electromechanical mechanisms that powers modern robotics.
The prize package includes a custom servo breakout board, three micro-servo positional motors, alligator clips, a battery pack, and a V1 microbit. You will have everything you need to control physical movement! By clipping the parts together, you can program your microbit using MakeCode blocks, JavaScript, or Python to command precise mechanical rotation. Will you build a robotic arm, an automated security gate, or a moving creature? The choice is yours!
How to Enter
To win this kit, we want you to submit a proposal for an exciting project you would like to build.
- The Written Proposal: Write about 250 words explaining your project idea.
- Visuals: You can include up to 3 images or drawings of your own creation to support your proposal.
Entry Requirements and Submission
- Eligibility: The competition is open to all KS3-aged students who live or are educated in Essex.
- Format: Entries must be submitted as a Word Document or PDF file.
- How to Send: A parent or guardian must email the entry to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with subject = “Servo kit competition”. - Required Information: The email must include the student’s name, age, and school.
- Deadline: Entries must be received by 17:00 on Friday 18 December 2026.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be reviewed by members of CSES, who will select the winner based on:
- Innovation and Originality: Unique and fresh ideas.
- Creativity: Imaginative design and problem-solving.
- Engineering Tactics: Thoughtful integration of mechanical and electrical parts.
- Information Content and Effective Communication: Clear, engaging description of the project.
The winner will be notified by 31 January 2027.
Full terms and conditions of the competition are shown below.
Competition Terms and Conditions
- The competition is open to any KS3 aged student living or being taught (in school or at home) in Essex, including the unitary authorities.
- The submission should be between a minimum of 230 words and a maximum of 270 words in length.
- The word count should be included in the submission.
- Submissions with a word count outside these limits will not be considered.
- In total, up to three drawings, images or other info-graphics of your own creation can be included to support your application.
- Submissions must be emailed as described above and be a single file in either Word or PDF format. The email should include student name, age and school.
- Entries received after the competition closes will not be considered.
- The writing must be the student's own and must not be previously published or entered into another competition. AI-generated entries will be rejected.
- Copyright for the submitted material remains with their authors. However, by entering the competition, participants grant CSES a nonexclusive, perpetual licence to use the submitted material for any legitimate purpose, including promoting the Society.
- If photos are included that contain people, the entrant is responsible for gaining their consent and (if necessary) securing use of their image free of copyright, fee or any other restriction. If your image contains the picture of anyone aged under 18 then you must submit an image consent form signed by their legal guardian.
- Entries will not be accepted into the competition if they are deemed inappropriate. This includes writing and any images that are offensive, previously published, copyrighted or deemed not to be in accordance with the spirit of the competition.
- There is only one prize.
- The prize will only be awarded subject to receiving a sufficient number of submissions at an appropriate standard of quality.
- CSES reserves the right to cancel the competition or alter the rules at any stage if circumstances arise outside of its control.
- There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
- Our decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final. This includes any judging decisions.
- The winner will be notified by email. First name only will be published on the CSES website along with the submitted entry. If you do not wish for the name to be publicised, please tell us.
- The winner will be invited to attend the Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society (CSES) annual competition (TEXPO) held each year at the end of June, to showcase the use they have made of the kit, with the opportunity of winning further prizes.
If you have any queries, please contact