Media release
Schools Get Ready To Take The Challenge
10 May 2007
LA TROBE UNIVERSITY, BENDIGO
MEDIA RELEASE / PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
DATE: Thursday 10 May 2007
TIME: Between 9.30am and 3pm
LOCATION: Phoenix Centre, Osborne Street campus of La Trobe University - Osborne Street, Flora Hill, Bendigo
The countdown is on to the 2007 Bendigo Science and Engineering Challenge to be conducted on Thursday 10 May at La Trobe University's Osborne Street Campus in Bendigo.
The Challenge brings students from secondary schools across the region to engage in a number of fun and exciting activities related to science, technology and engineering. This year there are eight challenging activities including designing and building a hovercraft, a sailing boat, and a bridge capable of carrying a trolley loaded with simulated gold.
Regional Chair of the Bendigo Challenge Coordinating Committee, Mr Ken Briggs, said the main aim of the Challenge is to encourage students aged between 14 and 16 years to take up study in science or engineering.
"This year's event has received strong interest from schools across the region. Entries have been received from Castlemaine Secondary College, Catholic College Bendigo, Echuca Secondary College, Flora Hill Secondary College, Girton Grammar School, and Kangaroo Flat Secondary College."
"All the schools are looking forward to this year's event and the winner will compete in the Super Challenge Series to be held at La Trobe University's Bundoora campus in Melbourne during National Science Week in September."
Mr Briggs said the winning school in the Bendigo Challenge last year was Flora Hill Secondary College which had set a high standard for this year's event.
"The Challenge Program was established by the University of Newcastle in 2000 and runs across Australia."
"The Challenge is highly regarded as a means of raising student awareness of career opportunities in the science and engineering fields and was awarded The Sir William Hudson Award for Engineering Excellence in 2003."
Members on the Bendigo Science and Engineering Challenge Committee are from the Rotary Club of Bendigo South, La Trobe University, Engineers Australia, The Discovery Science and Technology Centre, and local secondary colleges.
In addition to the financial and personnel assistance from La Trobe University, sponsors for the 2007 Challenge include the Rotary Club of Bendigo South, Flowserve Pump Division Australia, Engineers Australia - Bendigo Group, Community Telco Bendigo, Bendigo Mining, Coliban Water and Vic Roads Northern Region.
Head of Engineering at La Trobe University's Bendigo campus, Professor Joe Petrolito, said the competition was a great vehicle to give young people a taste of science and engineering and learn basic engineering principles.
"There are critical skills shortages in the science and civil engineering fields across Australia, and the Challenge is highly regarded as a means of raising the awareness of students regarding career opportunities in these fields."
"It is critical that students are inspired to take up subjects in these areas during the important VCE years to increase their options for continuing this study at the tertiary level."
Mr Briggs added that the hands on, competitive nature of the Challenge will provide an experience that cannot be easily duplicated in the classroom.
"I am confident that this year's event, as in past years, will be very successful."
For information on civil engineering programs offered at La Trobe University visit: www.latrobe.edu.au/ceps or phone the Course Administrator on (03) 5444 7805
Margaret Botterill : 03 9479 2059 or mobile: 0439 639 187
Sally Routledge 03 5444 7374 or mobile: 0408 357 972