The National Science and Engineering Challenge is a national STEM outreach programme presented by University of Newcastle in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and corporate sponsors. Our event was coordinated by Rotary Dalkeith and hosted by Murdoch University. Established in 2000 the SEC has reached close to 480,000 students across Australia. It aims to excite students about STEM and influencing their later subject choices.
Members of our club helped this week at the National Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) held at Murdoch University. Talking with some of them revealed how rewarding it was for them and a pleasure to encourage year 9 students to take an interest in the built environment. Over the week in excess of 40 local secondary schools and colleges attended in group of around 30. On each day about 8 different schools attended and the students participated in groups of 4 in very hands-on projects on Flight, Wind Turbine, ElectraCity, Eoc-Habitech, Bridge construction, Confounding Communications etc. I am sure the projects also challenged us as Supervisors even though that was not our role.
David Porter
Melville Rotary
