Science and Engineering Challenge Worth Another Million

Wednesday 25 January 2006

The University of Newcastle’s highly successful Science and Engineering Challenge will receive an additional $1 million in funding from the Department of Education, Science and Training.

Developed by the University’s Faculty of Science and Information Technology and Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, the Challenge takes science and engineering problems to Year 10 students. The students compete in a range of challenges including building bridges, making catapults, navigating virtual mazes and decrypting codes.

Professor John O’Connor from the Faculty of Science and Information Technology says the funding over the next three years will allow the University to meet the rapidly growing demand for the Challenge, especially in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

“Over the last two years we have taken the Challenge to Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT, Tasmania and New South Wales.”

“This funding will help us reach our ultimate goal of making the Challenge available to high schools across Australia by the end of the decade,” says Professor O’Connor.

Director of National Challenge Operations, Bob Nelson, says the Challenge shows students that careers in science and engineering involve teamwork, creativity, innovation and testing ideas.

“However, most of all it encourages students to develop an interest in science and engineering and to consider the possibilities of a career in these fields when they reach University,” says Bob.

“In a letter to the University announcing the funding, the outgoing Minister, Dr Brendan Nelson, said he was impressed by the Challenge’s success in inspiring a significant number of students to continue studies in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics beyond Year 10.”

The Challenge, which won the Engineers Australia National Engineering Excellence Award in 2003 for the best engineering project in Australia, is supported by local communities through Rotary International, Engineers Australia and the Department of Education, Science and Training.

“Challenges such as Crypto Cracking Cronies (involving encryption and decryption encoding methods) and Escape from the Lost World (construction of an airship with helium balloons and balsa) mean that students are able to compete with their peers in an entertaining, educational, and often nail biting event,” says Bob.

For interviews: Professor John O’Connor on 0402 839 978 or Bob Nelson on 0409 449 151.