Frensham students have once again taken out a top science and engineering challenge.
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The girls won the University of Newcastle’s Science and Engineering Challenge 2017, run with Bowral-Mittagong Rotary and The Institute of Engineers Australia.
Year 10 students Isabella, India, Imogen, Miranda and Georgina were involved in the March 21 challenge.
“We knew we had the expectation set from 2016 [when Frensham won previously], so we wanted to uphold that reputation,” Miranda said.
All participating Highland high school students were given different activities to complete throughout the day.
“We didn’t know what to expect, but it was great to have the freedom to be given a challenge and just do it,” Isabella said.
“It was also nice to mix with the kids from other schools, we all helped each other.”
India’s team of four had the challenge of recreating a bionic hand out of straws, paper and string.
“You really had to think about how your hand really worked, then try and replicate that,” she said.
The day was designed to encourage participation in STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
However, Georgina said other skills were tested as well.
“I was on the all-day bridge challenge, and we came in with some ideas which we disagreed with at the start, it was two against two for a while,” she said.
“But then we combined our ideas and ended up succeeding.”
The girls said the day made them think more seriously about the possibility of choosing STEM subjects for Year 11 and 12.
Imogen and India said they were now considering STEM subjects more seriously.
“It helped me see science as beyond just facts and a bit boring – it showed me science is fun,” Imogen said.
“I had always thought if I chose science I would do biology, but now I’m actually thinking about engineering as a possible career,” India said.
Georgina said she had always been considering a career in the science and engineering fields.
“This day let me have extra time to experience what it would be like,” she said.
The Year 10 students will now head to Newcastle for the state final. The class has more than 60 students, and they will need to form a team of 32 for the event.
If they win, they will head to the national finals, to be held in Dubbo.
Find out more about the Science and Engineering Challenge at www.newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/governance-and-leadership/.