High schools ready to test their science and engineering skills at National Final

The nation’s brightest young minds will be put to the test when Southern Cross University hosts the Science and Engineering Challenge National Final on Wednesday October 30.

More than 250 students from eight high schools from as far away as Hobart and Perth will travel to the University’s Lismore campus (on the NSW North Coast) for the one day event.

Foundation Professor of Engineering Scott Smith said the Science and Engineering Challenge was designed to inspire students.

“Australia, along with the rest of the world, is in a technology era, yet we are facing a shortage of students studying science and engineering in the final years of school and at university who are ready step into the jobs of the future.

“The Challenge’s hands-on activities are designed to replicate real-life problems by demonstrating the varied and practical elements of careers in the disciplines of science and engineering, like constructing earthquake-proof buildings and ‘green’ homes or managing limited electricity and water supplies.”

The University’s School of Environment, Science and Engineering is proud to be hosting the Science and Engineering Challenge National Final, with support from the Rotary Club of Alstonville, for the first time in 2013.

In a day of teamwork and fun, students will undertake a series of hands-on activities designed to challenge them in the practical elements of science and engineering. The highlight will be the Gold Fever activity where students build a small bridge from balsa, pins, tape and paddle pop sticks. Points are awarded for strength and load carrying capacity.

The community is encouraged to visit the Lismore campus to watch the Gold Fever activity followed by the awarding of prizes to the winning school and runners-up. To attend this free event be seated in the Whitebrook Theatre (Y Block), by 1.30pm on Wednesday October 30.

Some of the Science and Engineering Challenge National Final will be webcast live:
• Welcome address to students at 9.20am
• Gold Fever activity at 2pm

Support will be strong for local entrant, Lismore High School, who has won the regional event, the Northern Rivers Science and Engineering Challenge, four times since 2007 (2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013).

“When they won the Northern Rivers Challenge this year they were over the moon,” Lismore High science teacher Scott Allen said of his team of 32 Year 10 students.

“Going into the National Final they now understand that their greatest strength is working as a team. It’s less about being the school with the brainiest kids.”

The National Final schools were selected after competing in the regional and super Science and Engineering Challenges throughout the year. They are:
• Applecross Senior High School, Perth – Western Australia
• Bendigo South East College – Victoria
• Henry Lawson High School, Grenfell – New South Wales
• Lismore High School – New South Wales
• Loxton High School – South Australia
• Mount Carmel College, Sandy Bay (Hobart) – Tasmania
• St Columba Anglican School, Port Macquarie – New South Wales
• St Joseph's Nudgee College – Queensland

The Science and Engineering Challenge is a highly successful event developed by the University of Newcastle to encourage high school students' interest in science and engineering.
Photo: Lismore High students (left to right) Anna Summers, Chloe Jeffery, Mullaya Murphy and Lance Conway.