Science and Engineering Challenge
On Wednesday the 2nd of August, the majority of the Year 10s ventured off to Fed Uni to compete in the Science and Engineering Challenge. The day was broken into two parts, with each part consisting of one activity that lasted two hours.
With an early morning start at 8:15, the two mini buses were loaded and the race began. Mr Green's busload won the race, but his parking ultimately ruined the ride. He took up two parks, whilst Mrs Murphy effortlessly reversed into one, first try. We arrived at 9am and received a pep talk from the hosts, which then led us into our first challenge. Everyone was eager to start and our thinking caps were activated.
Hudson was back to defend his crown for the Return To Mars Challenge (he won this section last year), building a buggy to drive over bumpy terrain. Connor showed up, giving his best effort but ultimately getting a bit confused with the afternoon challenge, Confounding Communications. Their aim was to send messages to each other through lights, indicating secret codes and hidden words.
Meanwhile, Lochie and Jet started the day off strongly with Job Juggle, which saw them take on a challenge similar to Sudoku. Although they weren't told where they placed, they felt confident in their ability to order the colour system.
The next pair consisted of Matilda and Ashley, who were both guns, coming second in their morning activity, which consisted of making a tower, putting weights on it, and testing it on a shaking table. After lunch they landed First Place in the Job Juggle Challenge.
Beau and Tucker started the day hopeful. They needed to construct a plane using the materials provided and meet the specified requirements. Unfortunately, the boys didn’t come away with the win. Regrettably, at lunch, Beau wasn’t feeling so hot so he went home, meaning Tucker joined the pink team with Sav and Jacob.
Zarie and I made up the orange team, competing with the ever fierce Marian College in Stringways, which saw us connecting towns with string that was guided by certain restrictions. After lunch we dethroned Hudson and Connor, taking out the highest score in two years, on the Return To Mars Challenge.
Jacob and Savanna (pink team) began with the Confounding Communications Challenge, in which they were very successful. Later in the day, the new addition to pink team, Tucker, proved his worth, assisting in the Stringways Challenge.
Tom and Caleb's day started off well, seeing them place second. Their Challenge involved providing a low-cost electricity pathway, through the use of countless cables. The duo then backed it up, placing third in the Flight Challenge.
When we met back up for lunch, the leaderboard was updated. Beaufort were sitting in second place, making us all hopeful. With our spirits and egos through the roof, we discovered a petting zoo and free donuts, where some abused the privilege and ate 9 at once.
When lunch was over, it was time for the groups to start a new challenge. Each challenge was alternated according to colour. With some groups having already mastered a challenge, some strategic talk for the next group's attempt provided encouragement.
Whilst we all rotated, Cooper and Noah remained where they were, spending their whole day working on their bridge. Cooper did his best to remember how he constructed his 'ever successful' bridge from last year. There was some strategic play from Mr McClure, who assigned the challenges, providing us a great advantage. The boy's bridge came in weighing at 79 grams, being the second lightest bridge, earning them extra points. The air was filled with suspense and everyone's hearts were in their throats; we were winning the bridge challenge! The bridge survived four levels before unfortunately breaking, seeing Damascus take First Place due to a slightly lighter bridge. Overall, Cooper and Noah put their all into it and never gave up.
As the day came to an end, it was time to hear the leaderboard. Although Beaufort were very successful throughout the day, we ended up finishing a mighty fourth.
We all had a great time and would like to thank Mr McClure for organising the event and Mr Green and Mrs Murphy for attending and being our Uber drivers for the day.
- Zarie Tiley and Olivia Datson, Year 10