Yesterday, a crew of Year 10 Science, Technology and Design students converged on the Hall to participate in a special problem-solving trial. The event was arranged as a way of auditioning candidates for a team to compete in the annual Science & Engineering Challenge in Adelaide in mid-June.

The twenty-three students had previously been invited to attend by their respective teachers; their selection was based on their ability to demonstrate key dispositions within their subjects, traits such as creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness and resilience.

These attributes were certainly on full display as the Year 10’s – operating in teams of four – cleverly devised effective solutions to one of three practical design briefs. Two groups built a balloon-powered car, another two constructed a load-bearing paper tower, while the final two assembled a functional balsa wood bridge.

Each team’s solution was then tested against various criteria, with the eventual collapse of the towers and bridges delighting the audience.

Congratulations to the participating students for their excellent engagement throughout the trial – they listened well, collaborated positively with their peers and enthusiastically embraced the problem-solving aspect of the event. Congratulations must also go to Ms. Jemima McLachlan, whose outstanding coordination of the event ensured a successful outcome for all involved. Many thanks also to Ally Linn for joining in as the fourth member of one of the tower-building teams.

We look forward to offering another trial early next term to establish our final crew of sixteen students; our squad will then join forces with Cummins Area School to form a full Science & Engineering Challenge team to compete in Adelaide in June. Based on what we witnessed yesterday, we are quietly confident of taking it right up to the metro schools.

~ Mr. Shaun Thomas (Organising Teacher)