THE annual science and engineering challenge kicks off this week in Mount Gambier with more than 100 students from 10 secondary schools participating.
Year 10 students from across the Limestone Coast will battle it out for a place at the State Super Challenge by taking part in projects focused on building bridges, wiring cities, creating Mars rovers, constructing earthquake proof towers and building a bionic hand.
Limestone Coast science and engineering coordinator of the challenge Dr Jim O’Hehir – from the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier Lakes – said the challenge was an excellent opportunity for students from across the region to come together and extend their problem solving and analytical thinking in a team environment.
“Over the next five years, employment is predicted to increase in technical services, professional and scientific careers by 14pc,” Dr O’Hehir said.
With STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates in Australia making up only 18pc of the entire graduate group, he said the Science and Engineering Challenge inspired students to work in STEM careers.
“It does this by providing a STEM experience that is very different to their school classrooms.”
Students are encouraged to explore scientific principles for themselves rather than being guided to a predetermined answer.
“The Science and Engineering Challenge aims to encourage students in Year 10 to consider a future career in science and engineering by choosing to study the enabling sciences and mathematics in Years 11 and 12,” Dr O’Hehir said.
The Science and Engineering Challenge is presented by The University of Newcastle in cooperation locally with the Mount Gambier Rotary clubs, Mount Gambier and Grant District councils, University of South Australia, TAFE SA, Kimberly-Clark Australia and Tonkin Consulting.
The one day event will be held this Friday at Tenison Woods College.
Bordertown High School, Grant High School, Kangaroo Inn Area School, Kingston Community School, Penola High School, Millicent High School, Mount Gambier High School, Naracoorte High School, St Martins College and Tenison Woods College will participate in the challenge.
