On Friday 12 May, 32 boys from Year 10 entered the Macarthur Science and Engineering Challenge.
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a national program organised by the University of Newcastle. Over 1000 schools enter the nationwide competition. Students compete in teams against other school groups engaging in science and engineering-based activities. The fun and hands-on activities involve principles of science, engineering, and technology. The concept is to engage students in the activity with minimum introduction and theory as students explore scientific principles themselves.
Activities included:
- building an earthquake proof tower
- planning electrical networks
- designing a load-bearing bridge
- creating a code using light
- designing vehicle to move on Mars
- creating a bionic hand
- designing a scheduling system
- planning city infrastructure
Each group completed two activities during the day, spending 90 minutes on an activity. The competition was strong amongst nine other schools who had travelled from all over Sydney. St Greg’s won three challenges throughout the day. The finale of the day had each school testing their bridge designs. The boys built a 1 metre bridge out of balsa wood, straws, and tape which was able to hold a 2.5kg moving car. The winning bridge held 7.5kg. Among strong competition St Greg’s finished in fourth place on the day.
Congratulations to the boys on their performance and gaining an insight into the field of science and engineering.
Mr John Dinnen
Leader of Learning - Science