The annual Science and Engineering Challenge kicked off recently with 1303 Tasmanian students from 47 schools, including Taroona High School, Southern Christian College, Calvin Christian School and Kingston High School, competing.
Kingston High School came fourth whilst Taroona, Southern and Calvin won their heats, securing them spots in the grand final in Launceston.
Throughout the challenge, the Year 9 and 10 students drew on their teamwork and creativity while building bridges, testing water turbines, constructing earthquake-proof towers and building structures based on ancient fish traps made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
With STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) graduates in Australia making up only 25 per cent of the entire graduate cohort, the Science and Engineering Challenge inspires students to work in STEM careers.
University of Tasmania Acting Executive Dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering Dr Angela Castles said this was also an opportunity for students to come together and test their problem-solving skills.
“STEM is where creativity and critical thinking meet, and we’re excited to see students working together to come up with practical solutions to address real world challenges,” Dr Castles said.
Throughout the Science and Engineering Challenge, students were encouraged to explore scientific principles for themselves rather than being guided to a pre-determined answer.
“On behalf of the school, we’re really proud of this group and how they carried themselves on the day,” Taroona High School Head of Science Curriculum Alex Rose said.
“They came up against some challenging and unusual problems and they took it all in their stride.
“They showed fantastic insight, teamwork skills and perseverance, and they represented Taroona High proudly.”
The Calvin Christian School team said they particularly enjoyed the fish trap activity, requiring students to model Indigenous methods of sustainable fishing, and the wind turbine challenge to construct the fastest spinning propeller.
“It was wonderful to see our students supporting each other, persevering at tasks and representing our school so well,” Calvin Christian School said.
Kingston High School students Verity and Sophia said their team put in a “tremendous effort.”
“Our tasks were to build a model plane from plywood and tape, as well as finding the most effective way to spread electricity through model towns by connecting cables and powerhouses to infrastructures,” Verity and Sophia said.
“Thanks to our teachers Ms Windle and Mr Shaw for allowing this opportunity to happen.”
