More than 300 local, interstate and international students from years 4-11 have applied their talents to a science and maths challenge at Griffith’s Gold coast campus.
Sponsored by A.B. Paterson College, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Challenge engaged students in interactive scientific and mathematical modelling challenges over two days in a friendly yet competitive environment.
Students were asked to analyse a problem, work in groups to develop a solution and present the findings to their peers and a team of judges on the final day.
Organiser and Dean of Maths and Science at A.B. Paterson College, Mr Trevor Redmond, said the STEM Challenge is about offering opportunities to link the knowledge students have gained at school with real life tasks.
“Overall the STEM challenge promotes good thinking, interactive group work and cultural exchange with our international partner schools,” Mr Redmond said.
“The science challenge gives students the opportunity to compete on behalf of their school, whilst the modelling challenge involves tasks that must be performed by mixed groups from amongst the participating schools.
“We love to see the students developing new ideas and analysing situations that test their skills beyond the pages of their school textbooks.”
Participating South East Queensland schools included A.B. Paterson College, Morayfield State High School, Australian Christian College – Moreton, Burpengary Meadows State School, Glen Alpin State School, Mary MacKillop College, Ormiston College, Robina State High School, Southern Cross Catholic College, St Andrews Lutheran College, St Joseph’s Nudgee College, Ipswich Grammar College, and St Ursula’s College.
The visiting interstate and international schools were Pymble Ladies College (NSW), St Cuthbert’s College (New Zealand) and the Catholic Junior College, Cedar Girls Schools, Meridian Junior College, Ngee Ann Secondary School, Tampines Junior College from Singapore.
See some photos below from theentertaining finale that was provided as the ‘Bangs & Flashes’ science show with Dr John Thomas (AB Paterson College) & Mr Sid Hooker (Science on the Go! at Griffith)
