May 8, 2014
Students from six local high schools put their science and engineering skills to the test at the annual University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Challenge held on Thursday.
The challenge, which was also sponsored by the University of the Sunshine Coast, was hosted by Kingaroy State High School.
It also attracted students from Nanango and Murgon State High Schools, Goomeri P-10, Yarraman P-9 and Wondai P-9.
KSHS physics teacher Craig Reiger said teams from each of the schools took part in four full-day and four half-day challenges, all centred around science and engineering.
The day culminated with the Gold Fever challenge where each team constructed a small bridge which was then tested with different weights until it failed.
Murgon State High School won this after they managed to get four weights successfully across their construction. The bridge only failed when a “super ingot” was put on it.
Kingaroy Rotary provided volunteers to help on the day and also put on a barbecue for the students.
Mr Reiger said two staff members from the South Burnett Regional Council also volunteered their time, which was greatly appreciated.
Winners of the individual challenges were:
- ElectraCity – Nanango State High School morning team
- Helter Skelter Shelter – three way tie between Kingaroy State High School morning team, Murgon State High School, and Wondai P-9
- Who Gets The Water – Yarraman P-9 afternoon team
- Mission To Mars – Murgon State High School
- String – Wondai P-9 afternoon team
- Catapult – Nanango State High School
- Ecohabitat – Yarraman P-9
- Gold Fever – Murgon State High School
The school that achieved the most points on the day was Murgon State High School, followed by Kingaroy SHS and Nanango SHS.
Murgon SHS’s Winning “Gold Fever” Runs
First four ingots and then five … sadly, the bridge failed with a “super ingot” on the car
