St Joseph's Denman wins Upper Hunter Science & Engineering Challenge

On Thursday, 16 June, the St Joseph's Primary School, Denman, the Year 5/6 class competed in the Upper Hunter Science and Engineering Challenge.

This day was facilitated by Newcastle University and sponsored by Muswellbrook Rotary Club, as well as Coal & Allied.

The students competed in many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) challenges across the day.

These included:

    • Earthquake - Students designed and constructed a tower that held weights in both static and seismic conditions.
    • Electropolis - Students built an efficient power network.
    • Get a Grip - Students designed and built artificial fingers and thumb for the bionic hand so that a number of tasks could be completed.
    • Get Over It - Students constructed a bridge that could carry a weight from one side to the other.
    • Hoverboard - Students designed, built and flew a model hovercraft that was fast and highly controllable.
    • Minipult - Students built a miniature catapult that was both accurate and fire a projectile the furthest distance.
    • String-Along - Students were given the task to connect towns and cities using the most efficient network possible.
    • Build-It - The students were required make a profit with this activity. They had to build a chair that was strong enough to support two animals that were sitting and jumping on it.

Students had an enjoyable day and did a tremendous job with the tasks they were given.

Overall, the students placed first with a massive 1113 points. A tremendous achievement!

Over the years, St Joseph's students have been quite successful at this competition. Our students have won this award in 2012, 2014 and 2016. STEM is alive and well at St Joseph's, Denman.

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Aaron Moon Image
Aaron Moon

Aaron Moon is the Principal of St James' Primary School, Muswellbrook.