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UWA’s Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (EMS), along with the Rotary Club of Dalkeith, sponsored the WA Science and Engineering Challenge this month, which is run nationally by The University of Newcastle.

For the first week in April, 1200 year 10 students from 40 WA high schools competed in fun and exciting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) programs at the Claremont Showgrounds, inspiring them to build their futures in science and engineering.

In addition to being a financial sponsor, EMS provided a significant number of staff to volunteer and support the student’s activities, including; building and using a 'bionic hand' built from PVC pipe, string, straws, and timber coffee stirrers, constructing a vehicle to quickly transverse an undulating surface and developing rail networks that convey trains in the most efficient way possible.

Head of UWA’s School of Engineering, Professor Tim Sercombe said The Challenge was highly successful at inspiring students making subject selections, to consider a future career in science and engineering.

“The Challenge aims at changing their perceptions of science and engineering, to encourage them to study maths, physics and chemistry in years 11 and 12,” said Professor Sercombe.

“By participating, students see that science and engineering involves creativity, innovation, problem solving and team work.”

The Science and Engineering Challenge launched in the year 2000 and over 550,000 people have participated.

Media references

Lauren Humfrey (UWA Faculty of Engineering Mathematical Sciences) (+61 8) 6488 2260