School students to compete at national science challenge

Monday 16 October 2006

Students from 16 high schools across Australia will this week compete in a massive science and engineering competition to be held in Tamworth, NSW on 17 and 18 October 2006.

More than 500 Year 10 students from the ACT, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania will compete in the University of Newcastle's 2006 Science and Engineering Grand Challenge.

The Grand Challenge is the culmination of a series of Science and Engineering Challenges involving more than 12,000 students from 400 high schools in all states of Australia (except for Western Australia and the Northern Territory).

The students will compete in challenging activities such as 'Mission to Mars' (involving building an out of this world all terrain vehicle) and 'Escape from the Lost World' (construction of an airship with helium balloons and balsa).

The Science and Engineering Challenge is the brainchild of the Faculty of Science and IT and the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle. It was created as a way of addressing Australia's major skills shortage by sparking student interest in studying science and engineering related subjects.

Professor John O'Connor, Head of the School of Mathematical & Physical Sciences at the University of Newcastle, said interest in Science and Engineering degree programs has been steadily increasing since the inception of the Challenge in 2000.

"What comes out is an understanding of the value of teamwork, thinking outside the square, creativity, innovation and an understanding that learning can be great fun. This is the message that we want to get through - that learning in the Science, IT and Engineering areas is challenging, but it is also fun," Professor O’Connor said.

The University of Newcastle's ultimate goal is to make the Challenge available to high schools in every state and territory next year and to increase the number of schools competing over the next decade.

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.

Contact: Professor John O'Connor on 0402 839 978 or Bob Nelson 0409 449 151

Science and Engineering Grand Challenge 17 and 18 October 2006
School competitors:

Australian Capital Territory
McKillop Catholic College - Tuggeranong

New South Wales
Narrabri High School - Narrabri
Whitebridge High School - Whitebridge
Oxley High School - Tamworth
James Ruse Agricultural High School - Carlingford
St. Mary's High School - Gateshead
Wingham High School - Wingham

Queensland
St. Mary's College - Toowoomba
Christian Outreach College - Toowoomba
Sheldon College - Capalaba

South Australia
Immanuel College - Novar Gardens
Mount Gambier High School - Mount Gambier

Tasmania
Riverside High School - Riverside
Calvin Christian School - Kingston

Victoria
Geelong Christian College - Highton
Oberon High School - Belmont

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: The Grand Challenge will be held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre on 17 and 18 October from 10am - 3pm. Media welcome. Best pictures from 1pm both days.