Science & Engineering Challenge The Riverland/Murraylands Science and Engineering Challenge was held at Glossop High School this year, with Year 10 students from 6 High Schools taking part in the competition. Teams of up to 32 students from each of the schools were given a series of 8 science problems to solve with a practical model outcome. Schools involved were Glossop, Loxton, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Renmark, and Waikerie. Examples of activities include an earthquake resistant tower, a model bridge to support a loaded carriage, designing an efficient electricity power system for a large city using multiple sources of generation, and building a model of an operational prosthetic hand. The student activities were supervised by Rotarians, and the models were given scores based upon performance capability. The purpose of the Science and Engineering Challenge project is to show students some aspects of what engineers and scientists do, and so encourage students to at least consider choosing science, technology and mathematics subjects as a basis for possible later fulfilling careers in Science, Medicine, Technology, and Engineering enterprises in our national economy. Local service clubs of Rotary and Lions provided significant sponsorship for this national project which is organised annually through the University of Newcastle. Each year the project involves about 24,000 students drawn from 800 schools. Glossop High School students are the winners for this year’s S&E Challenge in the Riverland, and they will later take part in a State Competition against winning schools from other regions. Story and photos from Rotarian Sam Cozens, 0429 145 532, Science and Engineering Challenge Coordinator. |