On Friday the 26^th of March, 26 students set off to Marist Regional College to compete in the annual Science and Engineering Challenge. Students were split into smaller groups and were required to solve engineering problems through a practical approach. For example, Bella Jongscaap and Danielle Jones had to design and build a bridge that could span a gap of 62cm. They were scored on how well their bridge held up to differing amounts of weight and how much material they used to build it.

Danielle Jones and Bella Jongschaap designing their bridge.

Bella Jongschaap testing the bridge

In Hover Frenzy Sarah Cock, Elizabeth Heazlewood, Caleb ling and Kayden Byard had to design and build a hover craft that was not only fast and manoeuvrable but could also move over undulating terrain. This was group were overall winners for this task.

Sarah Cock, Elizabeth Heazlewood, Caleb ling and Kayden Byard trialling their hovercraft.

Lakota Upton, Emma Clayton and Carole Self testing their turbine.

In turbine, students had to design, build and test a model water turbine that spun efficiently to generate power as water flowed over it.

There were six schools participating on the day, and Parklands High placed a very respectable third overall, with only a handful of points separating the top four schools. Well done to everyone who competed on the day; it was a fun and successful day and you did Parklands High School proud.

Luke Hickman

Science Coordinator