Science 

Wantirna Places 1st & 3rd in the Engineers Without Borders Innovation Challenge!

Being offered the chance to participate in the EWB Challenge at Melbourne Uni was an opportunity I had to take. We were able to work on designing and prototyping a model coral terrarium to help improve the everyday lives of the Yirrganydji community, as well as presenting our idea to a panel of judges who voted on the best design. We were also able to receive constructive feedback that helped us to improve any flaws in our design. The day was a great chance to critically think and show the project we had been working on, whilst also being an opportunity to talk to Melbourne University students and get an insight on how life being a uni student is.

Abi Jayaram, Year 10 

Over the past month, we have had a group of Year 9 & 10 students volunteer to compete the in the Engineers Without Boarders Innovation Challenge. Students were tasked with designing an engineering solution to assist the Yirrganydji community in Northern Queensland in one of the three areas: Structures, Waste or Energy. There were a large amount of design considerations that needed to be taken into account, with the emphasis on being able to live off the grid as well as preserving and protecting country. These were then presented on November 25 at The University of Melbourne. 

On the day of the presentations, we ventured into the city and were greeted by staff at the University of Melbourne, who gave us our matching T-shirts, keyrings and water bottles. We spent some time getting to know the mentors who were assisting each team before breaking for morning tea. 

It was great to get to work so closely with Melbourne University’s engineering students and see their passion for engineering inspiring others. After being taken on a tour of the University we got to see the Telstra Creator Space which was full of all the equipment you would need to make any engineering project including 3D printers, metal work machines and laser cutters.

Once we had enjoyed our lunch, catered by Schnitz, we got into the presentations.  All teams showed a high level of understanding of the context and professionalism in their presentations. We had three teams compete and present their designs to a panel of judges comprised of University professors and industry professionals. Our teams presented highly researched designs about waste removal through interactive bins, using solar powered coral terrariums to maintain biodiversity and turning plastic and organic waste into a useable energy source of biogas. 

First place on the day went to our Biogas Generator team with our Solar Powered Coral Terrarium team placing third. It was great to see the phenomenal quality produced and the weeks of time and effort made by these teams really paid off. 

Clara Ranellone 

Science