Students from around the South West took part in a hands-on experience exploring the realm of scientific wonder.
On Tuesday, March 20, more than 70 students from 16 schools in Bunbury, Collie, Donnybrook, Dalyellup and Margaret River participated in round one of the Synergy Schools Solar Challenge.
Held at Newton Moore Senior High School, the initiative saw Year 6 and 8 students work together in teams to develop model, solar-powered cars.
Each team was given standardised solar car kits and curriculum-linked support materials to help them complete the task.
After building the model vehicles, the teams went head-to-head on a purpose-built, 20 metre race track.
Synergy contributed $2500 each to the winning Year 6 and 8 crews, assisting the schools’ science education resources.
The initiative was designed by Synergy and the Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia to help children become interested in science.
The groups believe projects such as the Synergy Schools Solar Challenge will help to increase the number of students choosing to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects.
Synergy New Energy leader Aidon Thomas said the initiative had expanded between 2017 and 2018.
“This is our second year running the challenge, we’ve got more than double the number of students this year compared to last year, and this is the first time we’ve come to regional WA,” he said.
“It is a great way for the students to engage in maths and engineering learning in a fun and interactive manner.”
Newton Moore SHS science teacher Athena Hawkins agreed the initiative greatly benefited the students’ understanding of science.
“It’s good because they get to experience the competitive side of the engineering process,” she said.
“They not only get to make the cars but get to see how they have constructed them, how other schools have constructed them and how their cars run compared to other schools’ cars.”
Visit solarchallenge.net.au to learn more.
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