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National Engineering & Applied Science Technology (NEAT) Week

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Are you an engineering and applied science technology student who wants to showcase your achievement?
Does your college want to recognize the achievements of your engineering technology students?


What is NEAT Week?

National Engineering and Applied science Technology (NEAT) Week, which officially launched in 2024, is a capstone competition for engineering and applied science technology students across Canada. The competition established by Technology Professionals Canada (TPC), compised of OACETT and nine other provincial member organizations representing engineering and applied science technologists, wants to promtoe the achievements of engineering and applied science technology students and the institutions that educate them. 

The competition is first conducted provincially and facilitated by the appilcable association, in this case OACETT. The Ontario capstone competition is held in October, where the top three Ontario finalists selected by OACETT's Awards Subcommittee go on to the provincial finals. The winner of the provincial finals competition is selected by OACETT members and non-members across Ontario via an online voting system and goes on to the national competition held virtually in November.

How to participate in NEAT Week

Engineering and applied science technology students from an Ontario college, who are working on their capstone competitions are asked to review:

  • capstone competition overview
  • capstone competition criteria
  • eligibility guidelines

Deadline to submit is September 26, 2025.

First-place winners of the inaugural 2024 NEAT Week Ontario and National Capstone Competition: 
Vikram Pandey and Hughroy Staple of Sheridan College 
for their capstone project on: Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) of Plastic Waste




Benefits of Participating in NEAT Week

Participating in NEAT Week 2025 offers several benefits for both students and their institutions. Here’s a breakdown of the top three advantages:

1. Showcasing Your Achievements

  • Students: As an engineering and applied science technology student, NEAT Week provides an opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and hard work on a national stage. You can highlight your best projects and receive recognition for your achievements.
  • Institutions: Colleges get to celebrate the successes of their students and can promote their engineering and applied science programs. It boosts the institution’s reputation for nurturing talented professionals.

2. Professional Recognition

  • Students: Winning or even participating in NEAT Week can significantly enhance your professional credentials. Recognition from industry leaders and peers can boost your career prospects, making you more competitive in the job market.
  • Institutions: By participating, colleges position themselves as contributors to the development of skilled professionals in the engineering technology field.

3. National Exposure

  • Students: If you make it to the national competition, you’ll have the chance to gain national exposure, getting recognized by a wider audience across Canada. It’s an excellent platform for presenting your work to a larger, more diverse group of industry professionals.
  • Institutions: National recognition of your students' achievements highlights the institution’s commitment to excellence in engineering and applied science education.

This competition is open to students pursuing rewarding career opportunities in a variety of disciplines, three national finalists will be selected from 9 provincial winners. The 3 finalists will present their projects during a webinar during NEAT Week, with winners being chosen via audience vote.

The prizes for the winning team in Ontario are $1,000 for first place, $700 for second place, and $300 for third place. The provincial winner moves on to the National competition, where they will have the opportunity to win $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place.

The Capstone finalists will have their projects evaluated by the TPC Leadership Council who will consider: 
  • Project originality
  • Quality of research
  • Methodology and explanation
  • Practicality and importance to society
  • Creativity and innovation

To be eligible for the competition, all student team members must be registered members of OACETT. If students are not OACETT members, they can join to participate in the competition. 

For more information on how to become an OACETT student member, click HERE

Project submissions will be via an on-line form and will have three components:
  1. A written project summary (maximum 10 pages)
  2. A video presentation by the team (maximum 10 minutes)
  3. A full technical report
The submission form should be completed by an instructor or representative from the institution. Prior to completing the form, the team should collect the following items for the submission package:

Team Components
  • The names, membership ID numbers and post-graduation contact information for each team member so OACETT and  TPC can contact regarding the competition.
    • Each team must select a primary and secondary contact (not the instructor) to act as the liaison between OACETT and TPC and the team.
  • A brief personal biography  for each team member that may be used in an article about the Capstone competition.
  • Photograph(s) – prepare a team photo with the file name identifying team members from left to right or individual headshots of each team member with the file names identifying the person in the photo.
Project Components
  • Each submission must include a presentation package, which demonstrates how the project was presented and/or explained to instructors and peers. Maximum 10 pages plus appendices.
    • PDF/Word documents only. If the presentation was created as a PowerPoint, please convert the file into a PDF document prior to uploading it to the submission form. 
  • Each submission must include a copy of the full technical report for the project, including the instructor's marking rubric.
    • PDF/Word documents only. 
  • Each submission must include relevant high-resolution photos, drawings/schematics. 

Please click HERE to complete your application form.

All applications are due September 26, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact Trisha Tedoldi, ttedoldi@oacett.org