More than 1000 high school students put their science and engineering know-how to the test during the 2011 宅男导航 Science and Engineering Challenge held recently at St Lucia campus.
The annual 宅男导航 Science and Engineering Challenge allows high school students to gain hands-on science and engineering experience, inspiring them to pursue careers in these fields.
Students from 31 Brisbane high schools participated in 宅男导航鈥檚 2011 Science and Engineering Challenge across four separate days of competition.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT), Professor Graham Schaffer, said 宅男导航 was pleased to help raise the profile of science and engineering professions with Brisbane high school students by offering the challenge.
鈥淭he Science and Engineering Challenge requires students to work in teams to develop engineering solutions to problems and to create innovative ways to resolve issues.
鈥淭he competing high school students are supervised by engineering students from 宅男导航 who not only provide assistance with the activities, but can also answer questions about 宅男导航鈥檚 programs in science and engineering and what it鈥檚 like to study at the University,鈥� Professor Schaffer said.
Working in teams, students competed in activities including building bridges and vehicles, simulating power distribution and developing a state-of-the-art Eco Habitech house required to withstand global warming, floods, droughts, fire and extreme temperatures.
Points were awarded to schools for their innovation and creativity, with St Pauls School, Mt St Michael鈥檚 College, Northside Christian College and St John鈥檚 College declared the winners of each day of competition respectively.
The four winning schools will go on to compete in the Queensland Science and Engineering Challenge State Final to be held later in the year.
The Faculty of EAIT鈥檚 Engineering Marketing Manager Trent Leggatt said the annual Science and Engineering Challenge was always a great success and was strongly supported by high school science teachers.
鈥淭he Science and Engineering Challenge is just one of many ways high school students can get involved in engineering throughout the year at 宅男导航, providing a fun and competitive learning environment,鈥� Mr Leggatt said.
The challenge was developed by The University of Newcastle, and aims to encourage students to study advanced mathematics and science subjects at senior and tertiary levels.
Media: Trent Leggatt, t.leggatt@uq.edu.au, or The Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology鈥檚 Madelene Flanagan, m.flanagan@uq.edu.au or 3365 8525.
