The Science and Engineering Challenge was held over four days on the Gold Coast and South Brisbane. Year 10 Physics students, under the mentorship of Mr Graham and Mr Russell, competed in the Gold Coast Science & Engineering Challenge on Thursday 12 June at Merrimac State High School.
The students competed against schools from the region in a number of half and full day team activities inclusive of bridge building, confounding communications, flight and fish traps, to name a few. The competition was fierce and our physicists worked together well throughout the day with the common goal of outperforming the other schools. Half-way through the day we were told that QAHS was currently sitting in first place and this gave our students their second wind to keep persisting in the hope of maintaining their position.
The day concluded with bridge testing whereby students had constructed balsa bridges designed to withstand and carry a tremendous amount of mass. QAHS's bridge, weighing somewhere in the order of 100grams, outperformed all other bridges, carrying approximately 4 kilograms of mass. It was this final result which helped solidify our lead, and as such QAHS were crowned champions.
The students had a great day and it was fantastic watching the students outside of the classroom, working together to solve hands-on challenges together.
Well done Year 10 Physics. You should be so proud of your achievement.
Daniel Graham and Zach Russell
Physics Teachers