Young STEM brains to be challenged

THE National Science and Engineering Challenge’s Ballarat Regional Challenge Day is being organised by a group of volunteers from three local Rotary Clubs.

The chair of the organising committee this year is Andrew Harman from Wendouree Breakfast club, and the other clubs involved are Alfredton and Ballarat West.

“This year we have a full house of eight school teams, with one of the teams being a joint effort by Mount Rowan and Beaufort secondary colleges,” said Alfredton Rotarian Deb Robertson.

“Other schools attending are Marian College, Ararat, Maryborough Education Centre, St Patricks College, Mount Clear College, Ballarat Grammar, Damascus College and Woodman’s Hill Secondary College.

“The students will be challenged by a range of scientific, technological and innovative activities, working in teams to complete them in a set timeframe and the highlight of the day will be the Testing of the Bridges as teams run trolleys loaded with increasing weights, over the balsa wood bridges that they have designed and constructed.”

The general public is invited to get in on the action by attending the SEC Dinner on the night prior to the Challenge Day.

Not only will there be the chance to try a hands-on activity similar to those faced by the students the following day, but the guest speaker, Richard Blackburn, will inspire and enthrall as he describes his wide-ranging trials of innovative technologies to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The event is run free of charge to students, to allow all to participate and to achieve this, the Rotary Clubs are extremely thankful for the support of their sponsors.

The National Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) is an outreach program founded by the University of Newcastle in the year 2000.

Since then it has grown to involve over 120 Rotary clubs and 30 Universities, reaching over 870 schools and over 160,000 people nationwide in 2025.

The SEC addresses the skills shortage in science and engineering by inspiring young people to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in senior high school.

It provides students with an exhilarating day where they compete with other school groups in engaging science and engineering-based activities.

Students also appreciate what it would be like to work as a scientist or engineer as many tertiary students and professional volunteer with the SEC.

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