Woy Woy looks to improved science outcomes

Woy Woy Campus participated in its first Science and Engineering Challenge on March 20-21 at Niagara Park Community Centre.

Woy Woy campus head science teacher, Mr Peter Jones, said that some 25 of the school's year 10 students participated in the Challenge.

Mr Jones said students from various local schools were split into teams and asked to compete against each other in a range of practical engineering activities.

"Students were totally absorbed - you could've heard a pin drop.

"The great majority of students were right into the activities," he said.

The Science and Engineering Challenge, the brainchild of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology and the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle, has been responsible for improved enrolment outcomes for the sciences among year 11 students, according to the University.

Mr Michael Cassey, Administrative Assistant for the Challenge at the University of Newcastle, said: "The Challenge is like a sports carnival. Some students are skeptical at first - it's not cool to be interested. But then they really get into it. We've had really good feedback."

One activity at the Challenge involved students in building and flying airships.

Each group attached helium balloons to a balsa wood structure, attached propellers to the structure, and then powered it around a racing course with a remote control pack.

Another activity involved students in designing and building a doll's chair in order to test its capacity to take the weight of a doll filled with lead.

Students were assessed on labour, design, and efficiency in materials use.

Mr Jones said that while students were given preliminary ideas about how to design and build, they experimented and exercised initiative.

Mr Jones said that this year's Challenge participants will be coaching next year's as the same activities will be offered.

Associate Professor John O'Connor, Head of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Newcastle, said: "The NSW Board of Studies figures show that, for schools which participate in the Challenge, there is a dramatic turnaround in the participation in the enabling sciences in secondary schools."

Mr Jones said that it is too early to be able to assess whether the Challenge is impacting on Woy Woy students' enthusiasm for and enrolment in these sciences as this year's Challenge was the School's first.

For information on the Science and Engineering Challenge, contact Bob Nelson on (02) 4921 6137.

Con Orfanos, press release, May 14