Our normal Tuesday night meeting of 12 June was moved to Thursday so the organizers of the Science and Engineering Challenge, currently being held over two days at Deakin University, could attend and challenge us.
The meeting was made more special in that we were joined by members of the Rotary Club of Corio Bay whose normal meeting night is Thursday at The Hub.
Acting President Tony welcomed President Judy Parsons and members of Corio Bay Rotary; Dr Terry Burns from the University of Newcastle and Convenor of the Science and Engineering Challenge; Carol Deans, guest of Stan Deans; and Yvonne Marcuzzo, guest of Bill Bailey.
At the beginning of the evening Dr Burns challenged us with a task called ‘Turbulent Tower’ that required teams from each table to use simple materials to create a ‘machine’ capable of making a tower of plastic cups.
The cups were not to be touched by hand during construction of the tower.
Each team was supplied with a ball of string, masking tape, plastic straws, wooden stirrers, rubber bands and a pair of scissors. We were given time to think about our strategies during dinner.
Dr Burns spoke to the meeting about the history of the Science and Engineering Challenge that is now conducted nationally each year.
Its mission is to make a difference in the world through encouraging careers and innovation in science and engineering.
The Challenge was well ahead of its time and only now are governments and others focussing on the importance of careers in STEM. ie Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Each year over 49,000 students from 1,000 schools participate in the Challenge, involving over 3,000 volunteers.
The Challenge is not the only initiative established by the University of Newcastle to encourage young people to consider a career in STEM. The University also conduct a SMART day for Preps to Year 4; Discovery Day for Years 5 and 6; Build a Future Day for Years 7 and 8; and Workplace Learning/ Internships for University students; and provides resources for teachers.
After enjoying a hearty meal, each team was invited to test their skill and ingenuity by building a ‘turbulent tower’ from ten plastic cups, using their brilliantly designed ‘machine’.
The winners were Peter Funston, Adam Koch and Satbir Chug who constructed a tower of five cups, better than the national average.
Second place was the team of Terry Thornton, Warren Norton and Jenny Acopian with their tower of four cups.
It was good fun.
Finally, Tony wished Kathy Ryan from Corio Bay all the best for her trip to the International Convention in Toronto.
