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Science and engineering challenge at USC
Almost 500 students from 16 Sunshine Coast high schools will put their scientific and engineering skills to the test at the University of the Sunshine Coast over the next two days.
USC, in conjunction with the Science and Engineering Education Centre (an Education Queensland and USC initiative), will for the first time host and sponsor the annual Sunshine Coast Science and Engineering Challenge on Tuesday 9 March and Wednesday 10 March.
USC Engineering Professor Mark Porter said the national competition series had a proven record of motivating Year 10 students to choose the sciences in senior secondary and higher education.
The hands-on experiments and tasks will allow high school students to experience the creative side of science and engineering in a fun atmosphere.
Tasks will include building a hovercraft, a catapult and a bridge, and using rubber bands to create the suspension required for a vehicle bound for Mars.
Media are welcome to attend the event at USC’s Innovation Centre auditorium. The best times for filming/taking photographs will be between 10-11am, and between 1-2pm.
Last year 250 students from the Coast region took part in the challenge, which was won by Kawana Waters State College.
The local event has been organised in conjunction with Education Queensland, Rotary, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Engineers Australia and the University of Newcastle. State finals will be held later this year.
— Julie Gatehouse