The "Science & Engineering Challenge" is an innovative outreach program designed to show students in years 9 and 10 that a career in science, engineering or technology can be a part of anyone's future. Over the course of one day, 8 teams of 30+ students competitively engage in 8 fun
filled activities designed to show students the fundamental principles of physics and mathematics 'in operation'. The reward (to all students) is to complete the day with a feeling that "I could be a scientist, engineer or technologist - after all!"
The program was devised by the University of Newcastle, NSW, to address the alarming decline in numbers of secondary students choosing to go on to careers in these fields after secondary schooling. It has been widely recognised, receiving awards from scientific and engineering bodies, and has received almost $1million in funding support from the federal government's education and training department to expand the program to all states.
The program is delivered across Australia via partnerships with the University of Newcastle, and in 2004, 2005 and 2006 Victoria University conducted challenges at the Werribee Industrial Skills campus near Melbourne.
Since 2004 some 1200+ Year 9 and 10 students from 40+ secondary schools from metropolitan Melbourne have participated in the Victoria University challenges. These have grown from events of 2 days in 2004 and 2005 to 3 days in 2006 and 2007, and may further expand to 4 days in 2008 teaching 1500+ students. In 2005 Victoria University ran the tri-state "super" challenge event which included 600+ students from schools in Tasmania, South Australia as well as Victoria. State based "super" challenges now lead to a "grand" challenge event in October, where the best schools from all states compete for the title of "Science and Engineering Challenge Champion".
Activities include, designing
- bridges using balsawood, pins, adhesive tape, drinking straws and strings to carry a moving load increasing to several kilograms weight;
- a chair to support the stationary weight and absorb the energy of a 'baby' doll as it falls onto the chair;
- an electrical cabling network to supply power to a model city to ensure a reliable supply of power in the course of natural 'events' and power outages;
- propellor driven helium balloon support airships, then navigating these through an obstacle course in the minimum time; and many others.
