Inspiring 'thinking through doing' at the Science and Engineering Challenge

Carey students participated in a fun-filled day at Deakin University’s Science and Engineering Challenge on 26 June, in an effort to ignite their passion for STEM subjects.

Organised in collaboration with the University of Newcastle and various industry partners, the national outreach program provided a hands-on, competitive environment for the eight girls and eight boys who attended to engage in practical problem-solving tasks, while also testing their creativity, teamwork and analytical skills. Interaction with professionals and exposure to the practical applications of core STEM principles also helped students envision potential career paths in engineering. Some of the popular activities included building an earthquake-proof tower, using power cables to effectively light up a model city, building a model glider followed by an electronic launch, using fibre-optic codes to communicate secret messages, designing efficient wind turbines and constructing a sturdy model bridge. The event was successful in breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions about careers in engineering, showcasing the exciting, innovative and rewarding side to these pathways.

Student feedback from the event is a testament to their newfound appreciation for outcomes in STEM, also to the power of collaboration between educational institutions, industry and the community in inspiring Australia’s next generation of scientists and engineers:

‘I enjoyed using my problem-solving skills to complete tasks based on real life scenarios,’ one student said. ‘The event taught me that while designing can be used for artistic purposes, it can also be used to change the world.’

Another shared that they ‘enjoyed experimenting with new things and designing a code that my friend and I could understand with the simple use of colours. I would love to do this next year as well!’

Pearl Fernandes
Middle and Senior School Science Teacher