Girton Grammar School’s gymnasium was awash with inventions, experiments and Science and Technology enthusiasts last Monday, when the Science and Engineering Challenge took place for the 10th year in Bendigo.
More than 250 students from Bendigo and beyond took part in the annual event which ultimately aims to get students to consider a career in Science and Engineering.
Students were challenged with a number of tasks such as building bridges from lightweight materials to carry gold ingots, building a strong, low cost chair that is appealing to consumers and developing a suspension system for a simple buggy to allow load to be taken across the undulating Mars surface.
Headmaster at Girton Grammar School, Mr Matthew Maruff, said that these types of events are the perfect forum for students to get a feel for where their school subjects could take them.
“The sometimes weighty theoretical concepts underpinning subjects like Physics and Engineering need to be debunked outside the classroom.
“Practical experience is the best way for students to test the limits of what they have learned and to get an idea of where the subjects they study can lead them beyond school.
“With 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations now requiring STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) skills and knowledge, Girton Grammar has firmly embedded technology based subjects into the curriculum.
“Starting from Prep, students are exposed to the explicit teaching of Technology and in Senior School we have nine Technology subjects alone, on offer.
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM outreach program presented by the University of Newcastle in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors.
