What is Ignite?

Ignite is a team-based, hands-on STEM competition for high school students developed by MidCoast Christian College (MCCC).

Who can participate?

Ignite is particularly well suited as a Year 9/10 elective, however some schools may wish to run the program in Years 7 & 8 or as an extra-curricular activity at lunch time or after school. We recommend allowing 2.5-3 hours per week for the program.

How does Ignite work?

Central to the competition is the design and manufacture of a miniature CO2 powered 3Dprinted/CNC-machined car. Students work across the year in teams of 3 to complete competition elements related to their racing team. The roles are:

  • Team Manager/Business Manager
  • Engineer/Manufacturer
  • Graphic Designer/Trade Display Manager

What are the competition elements?

The annual Ignite Competition is held in Term 4 at MCCC. With 1000 points up for grabs, teams need to complete a range of elements that will be assessed by judging panels. Competition elements include:

  • Business Portfolio
  • Trade Display Portfolio
  • Engineer Portfolio
  • Car Design
  • Car Manufacture
  • Car Racing
  • Trade Display
  • Team Branding
  • Sponsorship
  • Judging interviews
  • Verbal presentation
  • Team Marketing

What are the benefits of competing in Ignite?

Project-based learning allows students to solve real-world problems in a meaningful way, while learning skills in business, graphic design, engineering and communications. Students in Ignite develop employability skills within their team and form relationships with sponsors and their
local community.

How do schools connect with community?

One of the key elements of Ignite is developing relationships with key stakeholders in your local community. Three ways this develops is through team sponsors, mentoring sessions and off-site excursions.


As part of the program, teams will develop a Return on Investment plan that they will present to potential sponsors. Teams will then maintain contact with sponsors through the duration of the program through regular emails and sponsor collaboration sessions.


In addition, schools are encouraged to leverage the knowledge base within their communities to provide regular mentoring sessions throughout the year. Guests can be invited to present workshops/information sessions to students in the areas of project management, engineering, graphic design, budgeting, marketing and more. Teachers might also like to take students on site visits to see these skills in action in local industry.

How much does it cost to enter?

Registration for Ignite is $150 per school, regardless of the number of teams entered.

Upon registration, you will receive access to the program outline and have ongoing support and advice from the Ignite Co-ordinators at MCCC. We suggest that each team raises a minimum of $500 in sponsorship to cover the cost of consumables they will use in their participation in the program.
Ignite is designed to be a self-sustaining program with minimals costs to the school.

Exclusive Offer!

Through the invaluable support of the Regional Industry Education Partnership (RIEP) we are delighted to offer schools an exclusive launch offer. Register your school for Ignite by 30 October 2026 and RIEP will pay the registration fee AND provide each school with a brand new 3D desktop printer! (Terms and conditions apply*).

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Want to know more about the Ignite program? Fill in the EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM to connect with an Ignite Co-ordinator.

Expression of Interest

REGISTER FOR THE 2027 IGNITE COMPETITION NOW!

Ready to enter a team (or more!) in the 2027 Ignite Competition and receive a free 3D desktop printer? Click here to REGISTER NOW!

Register Now

How can I find out more?

For more information, please contact the Ignite Co-coordinators:

Karen Collum

Simon Weller

02 6539 0100

ignitehub@mccc.nsw.edu.au

* Terms and Conditions

Upon completing the registration process, successful schools will be notified by the Ignite Co-ordinators and have their registration fee covered by Regional Industry Education Partnership (RIEP). An information session will be held towards the end of November (date to be advised) for all registered schools. At this information session, registered schools will be given one new 3D desktop printer (a FlashForge Adventurer 5M Pro or equivalent). This printer will remain the property of the Ignite program and MidCoast Christian College until the completion of the 2027 Ignite Competition.  To take possession of the printer, a representative from each school will be asked to sign an agreement committing to entering at least one team in the 2027 Ignite Competition. The 3D desktop printer will become the property of the school at the conclusion 2027 Ignite Competition. 3D printers will be assigned on a first-come-first served basis of registration. Limited number of printers are available. Basic tracking of industry engagement in the Ignite program is required for RIEP data collection purposes.

Please note: If schools are unable to have at least one team compete in the 2027 Ignite Competition, the printer will be returned to the Ignite program/MidCoast Christian College to be redistributed to another school in the Ignite program.

Basic tracking of industry engagement in the ignite program is required for RIEP data collection purposes.