UNSW Science and Engineering Challenge
1 July 2008
Roundhouse
9.00 am to 3.00 pm
North Sydney Boys High took first place this year's Science and Engineering Challenge ahead of St Pauls Catholic College and St John Bosco College.
Presented by Newcastle University and sponsored by UNSW Science, Belrose Rotary Club and Energy Australia, teams of Year 9 and 10 students from eight greater Sydney high schools competed in a day of activities, testing principles of science, engineering and technology.
Hosted by UNSW, The Challenge promotes and encourages student insight and innovation by inviting them to solve a series of practical and conceptual problems. The day has a big emphasis on fun and exploration, and a focus on engaging students in activity with a minimum of introduction and theory.
Teams numbering between 24 and 32 students represented each school at this year's Challenge, which has now been running for several years nationally and for the second time at UNSW. Schools teams are divided into eight groups, competing in one or two activities during the day.
The day's climax - 'Gold Fever' - was a bridge building activity in which students were challenged to use a standard test rig to deliver a dynamic load. The lightest bridge to hold the load was awarded the winner.
Come testing time, students, teachers and organisers expressed noisy delight and mock horror as several promising-looki
Head of UNSW's School of Physics, Professor Richard Newbury was on hand to present trophies and certificates to the day's winners and participants.
Many thanks to the Challenge's sponsors, and to the students, teachers and parents of participating schools: James Meehan High School, North Sydney Boys high School, St Pauls Catholic College, St John Bosco College, Freeman Catholic College, Liverpool Girls High School, Tempe High School and Asquith Boys High School.
See you next year!
