Coast Coast students take on Science and Engineering Challenge Coffs Coast Coffs Coast - popup ad by News Of The Area - Modern Media - April 17, 2024 Students hard at work, diligently observed by Kellie Hine, Aboriginal Liaison Officer at Woolgoolga High. TEN years of the Coffs Coast Science and Engineering Challenge was celebrated with a successful event for 2024, held at Wiigulga Sports and Multipurpose Centre for the second year on Tuesday 9 April. The Science Challenges on the Coffs Coast are an initiative of Woolgoolga High School and Woolgoolga Rotary Club. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au In ten years, the event has run eight times and has been attended by over 2000 year 10 students. Each year eight schools are accepted to attend, each with 32 students who participate in eight different challenges. Spokesperson for the 2024 Coffs Coast Science and Engineering Challenge, Peter Paff told News Of The Area, “The enthusiasm of the students was infectious, and we were blown away by the attitude and willingness of the students again this year.” Along with the ever-popular ‘Bridge’ exercise, this year there were two new challenges. The ‘Turbine’, which had students designing propeller blades and attempting to register maximum revs, and ‘Fish Traps’, which was designed along the lines of the Brewarrina Fish Traps – a complex network of river stones arranged to form ponds and channels that catch fish. This year’s winning school was Bishop Druitt College with Coffs Harbour High as runners up (last year’s victors). The winners on the day may qualify for the State finals, depending on all scores from around NSW. The competition is an Australia-wide program run by the University of Newcastle (UON) and each year they supply the equipment and two staff members to run the event on the day. This year’s UON staff were Anna Popowicz and Frank Perrottet, who received thanks from the organisers. “The event doesn’t just happen; it takes many hours and weeks of preparation from a dedicated committee and many supporters along the way,” said Peter. There were almost 50 volunteers who made this year the smooth-running operation it was. The volunteers come from Rotary Clubs, the community, and the event sponsors. “We have volunteers that are still attending year after year. “This year we had the challenge’s original Rotary President and Chair of the committee at the time, Peter Lacy, and his wife Sally, both helping on challenges,” said Peter. The Coffs Harbour Bypass team provided ten volunteers on the day and one member from Engineers Australia. “A member of the bypass team, Teale McElhinney, spoke at the pre competition dinner, and her presentation was greatly received by the 80 people in attendance.” Teale attended Narranga Public School and is a graduate of Coffs Harbour High. Speaking for the venue, Peter said, “The staff at Wiigulga were outstanding and the day ran to time with no hiccups. “This is a fabulous venue and recommended to everyone.” By Andrea FERRARI Full-on concentration and collaboration is required at the Science and Engineering Challenge. Bridge building is always a favourite exercise at the Science and Engineering Challenge.
