On Thursday, 31 students from Snowy Mountains Grammar School in years 9 and 10 showcased their scientific and engineering skills at the prestigious Newcastle University Science and Engineering Challenge in Canberra. The event offered an ideal platform for students to engage in hands-on problem-solving tasks that tested their teamwork, communication, and creativity skills.

Throughout the day, students worked in groups of four to complete a diverse range of challenges. These challenges ranged from building an earthquake-proof tower, designing a Mars rover, creating a code to send messages through light patterns, designing a prosthetic hand with limited materials, and building a bridge to span a certain distance using only balsawood and masking tape.

The Snowy Mountains team performed exceptionally well, earning a fourth place overall score and coming in second for their bridge design.

Mrs Dymond, SMGS Mathematics teacher lauded the students’ performance, stating, “I am incredibly proud of the students for their outstanding work and unwavering commitment throughout the day. They approached each task with enthusiasm, creativity, and a can-do attitude.”

Mrs Gratton, also praised the students. She commended the students for their excellent problem-solving skills, ingenuity, and perseverance, and found it inspiring to witness their growth and development throughout the day.

Overall, the Newcastle University Science and Engineering Challenge was an enriching experience for our students, providing them with a valuable opportunity to hone their skills and deepen their understanding of the fascinating fields of science and engineering.

As Mrs Dymond aptly put it, “This challenge was a fantastic opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.”