STEM

Year 9 STEM Students Shine at the 2025 Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Year 9 STEM students who represented St Monica's College at the 2025 Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge (VMSVC), held at Scienceworks on Sunday, 19 October.

This annual state event brings together students from across Victoria to apply their engineering, design, and sustainability knowledge in a competitive, hands-on environment. Throughout the term, our students worked diligently during class time, engaging in an impressive design and build process that incorporated CAD design, 3D printing, carbon fibre fabrication, foam sculpting, electronic circuitry, testing, and data collection. Their challenge was to harness solar power as the sole energy source to drive their model boats and cars — a true test of sustainable engineering in action.

A particular highlight was the Advanced Boat Division, where Riley Le and Noah Bucak, competing as SMC Boat 4, achieved an outstanding Second Place finish. Their teamwork, technical skill, and adaptability in fine-tuning their solar-powered boat earned them well-deserved Certificates of Achievement.

We also congratulate Elias Malek, who represented St Monica's College in the Student-Designed Car Division. Elias received a Certificate of Recognition for his innovative approach and technical design.

We extend our sincere thanks to the parents and families whose encouragement and support played a vital role in this journey. A special acknowledgment goes to Mr David Birse and Mr Spiro Kalantzis, our dedicated STEM teachers, who accompanied the students and provided expert guidance throughout the design and build process.

The Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge encourages students to explore sustainable technologies and real-world STEM applications. We commend all participants for their initiative, dedication, and for being inspiring ambassadors of St Monica's College.

Congratulations — your hard work and commitment to excellence continue to illuminate the path for future Monican innovators. We now look forward to welcoming schools from across Australia as St Monica's College proudly hosts the 2025 Australian International Model Solar Challenge in December — a national event that will shine a spotlight on student innovation, sustainability, and STEM excellence at the highest level.

Mr S Bagh

Senior Teacher (Future Technologies, STEM Education)