STEM challenges for local schools

STUDENTS from seven Ballarat schools took part in the annual Science and Engineering Challenge Day last week as part of a collaboration between the Alfredton and Ballarat West Rotary Clubs.

Years 9 and 10 pupils participated in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, activities from bridge building to a Mars rover simulation at Federation University’s Mount Helen campus.

Kay Jackson, president of the Alfredton Rotary Club and organiser of the event, said the motivation for the day went beyond just fun and games.

“The main reason is to capture these student’s attention, get them to do something fun and engaging in a STEM environment,” she said.

“There’s the hope then that when they get to year 11 and 12, they’ll pick STEM subjects, then they’ll go on to uni and do further work in those fields.

“There’s a skills shortage at the end of it. A lot of our sponsors are engineering firms screaming out for kids to get the qualifications and join up with them. They need their future employees.”

Damascus College, Ballarat Clarendon College, Ballarat Grammar, Beaufort Secondary College, Portland Secondary College, Loreto College, and Marian College from Ararat all took part in the day.

With the exception of the bridge-building teams, the event saw a morning and afternoon rotation of students between the remaining seven activities.

Ballarat Grammar student Patrick McAleese went from building a water turbine to providing electricity through a circuit board, and said the day “opened his eyes” to the prospects of a STEM future.

“It’s been very fun and challenging. I haven’t really focused on science too much, because I want to be an architect,” he said.

“But just seeing all the different things you can do with engineering and science makes me think this could actually be really fun to do in my life.”

Each school was ranked on their performance in the activities, with Ballarat Grammar taking the top place while Loreto College placed second and Beaufort College third.