Budding scientists embrace the Science and Engineering Challenge and Discovery Day activities in Mittagong

A total of 256 students from 14 schools made their way to Mittagong RSL to build buggies that could be used on Mars, bridges out of basic items, construct a bionic hand and more.

Points from eight challenges were collated to determine which schools were victorious.

The aim of the event, is to show Year 6 and 10 students the possibilities with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, before they pick what they want to study the following year.

Chevalier College won overall as part of the high school challenge on May 30, and could compete in the state championship if they qualify in the top eight in NSW.

SECDD committee member Rod Aistrope said the Year 6 students were "full of beans".

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"It's been good," he said.

"Teachers also take part in it more."

The event is put on by the Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong, Engineers Australia's Southern Highlands and Tablelands Regional Group (SHTRG) and a group of dedicated volunteers.

This was the seventh event for primary school students and the 13^th for high schools across the Highlands.

Primary schools were combined into teams.

"In terms of engagement levels, for students, it's absolutely fantastic and the activities have actually been really enjoyable and relevant," said St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School teacher Liam Adams.

The decider to determine the winner was constructing a sturdy bridge from tape, cardboard, straws and balsa wood.

A metal track laid over the bridges, which would have to be sturdy enough to sustain weights stacked on top of it without breaking.

"We've used everything we can," said Lucas from Exeter Public School as his team looked at their bridge.

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Students had the chance to line their bridge up with the track prior, but had to weight to see if it was strong enough in the decider on stage.

Classmates waited in anticipation as team members were called up to see how their bridge went.

They erupted in applause when the trolley made it across without any issues, and when additional weight was added.

A combined school team with students from Kangaloon Public School, Glenquarry Public School and Bowral Public School succeded in all of the rounds, and received the maximum number of points.

The results were then revealed - Exeter Public School and Gib Gate came third, Bowral Public School was second, and the Bundanoon and Robertson Public School team was crowned as the winner.

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Former SHTRG chair Bob Bishop congratulated everyone and said he hoped they would all be engineers.

"You have taught me some things," he said.

Schools were also awarded participation certificates.

The Science and Engineering Challenge was founded by the University of Newcastle as an outreach program in 2000.

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