Budding engineers put skills in motion

Hundreds of Darwin students have put on their scientific thinking caps and competed in the annual Science and Engineering Challenge at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus.

Up to 480 Year 9 and 10 students from 13 schools accepted this year’s challenge, which encouraged students to learn about science and engineering in innovative and hands-on ways.

Good Shepherd Lutheran College Year 9 student Tiffany Tran said the challenge had helped to enhance her teamwork skills and build on her science and technology knowledge.

“It’s all about technology these days and these kinds of activities can help us to learn how to make our own things, instead of relying on an app or ready-made piece of technology,” Tiffany said.

During the challenge, students were put to the test in designing and engineering various items, including a bionic hand constructed from drinking straws, and a catapult from wooden sticks.

Other activities included constructing earthquake-proof towers that were tested on an electric earthquake simulator, and a suspension system able to pull a small buggy over a Mars-like surface.

Winners of the School Trophy at the event were Dripstone Middle School on the first day, and Sanderson Middle School  the following day.

The event was hosted by Engineers Australia Northern Division and CDU’s School of Engineering and IT, in partnership with the University of Newcastle, and was sponsored by Power and Water Corporation and INPEX.

CDU Student Ambassadors and staff were among volunteers at the event.