LAST month, the 2023 Science and Engineering Challenge was held at Hervey Bay PCYC.
It’s an event designed to inspire students to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
It is a joint effort that brings together three local Rotary clubs (Hervey Bay City, Hervey Bay Sunrise and Maryborough Sunrise), seven schools from Hervey Bay and Maryborough that includes 189 students and 30 Rotary and community volunteers together with volunteers from Operation Hard Yakka.
The University of Newcastle ran the event together with the University of the Sunshine Coast who put students through eight STEM related activities, with the major one being Bridge Building where students build a bridge out of balsa wood to carry a mining cart weighing over 5 Kg.
The students really enjoyed this challenge with local Fraser Coast Regional Council councillor and Rotarian David Lee being the VIP judging the Bridge Building competition.
Riverside Christian College Maryborough was the winner for the day, and they will now go on to compete in regional and possibly the state finals later in the year.
“The Engineering and Science Challenge is a great opportunity for years 9 and 10 students to cultivate an interest in STEM careers. Well done to all the students who participated”, said Councillor Lee.
This event was only made possible by financial support from all three levels of Government and many local engineering companies wanting to encourage young people to take up a STEM career.
