Port Macquarie school wins Science and Engineering Challenge national final

Port Macquarie’s St Columba Anglican School is the grand champion of the 2013 Science and Engineering Challenge National Final held at Southern Cross University today.

St Columba (with 1247 points) edged out runners-up Henry Lawson High School, based at Grenfell in the NSW central west (1197 points), and Hobart’s Mount Carmel College (1159 points) to take out the trophy.

St Columba’s win was sealed during the day’s final activity, Gold Fever. The team’s balsa wood bridge, weighing 57 grams and held together with pins, tape and paddle pop sticks, was strong enough to hold four test weights.

More than 250 students from eight high schools from as far away as Hobart and Perth travelled to the University’s Lismore campus on the NSW North Coast for the one day event, which saw them complete a series of hands-on activities designed to challenge them in the practical elements of science and engineering.

The National Final schools were selected after competing in the regional and super Science and Engineering Challenges throughout the year:
• 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 Southern Cross University School of Environment, Science and Engineering hosted the Science and Engineering Challenge National Final, with support from the Rotary Club of Alstonville.

The Science and Engineering Challenge has been developed by the University of Newcastle to encourage high school students' interest in science and engineering.

Photo: Students from St Columba Anglican School hold the winner's trophy.