Building bridges, flying model hovercrafts and designing a suspension system suitable for a buggy landing on Mars was all part of a day's work for budding scientists and engineers at QUT this week.
More than 600 students from 22 South-East Queensland high schools competed in the annual QUT Science and Engineering Challenge, which saw them use their science, physics and maths skills to come up with creative and practical solutions to everyday problems.
QUT event organiser Simone Long said there were eight challenges set for the students ranging from building a tower capable of withstanding an earthquake, to designing cheap power.
"The challenge is a fun way for students to experience the practical side of science and engineering and get a realistic view of what a career in these areas could involve," she said.
"It inspires students to think seriously about pursuing a career in a science or engineering field."
And while the event is fun, there is also a serious side with the winning schools of the Brisbane and Caboolture challenge going on to compete in the Super Challenge Series in Queensland in September.
The challenge is supported by QUT, University of Newcastle and Engineers Australia and is held in every state or territory across the country with more than 23,000 students expected to take part this year.
The challenge, which was held at QUT's new $230 million Science and Engineering Centre directly aligns with, and supports, the Federal Government's program to boost maths and science graduates and compliments the Queensland Government's $10 million scholarship program supporting women.
Schools taking part in the event:
Mount Gravatt State High School
Kelvin Grove State College
Rochedale State High School
Redeemer Lutheran College
Our Lady's College (Annerley)
Lourdes Hill College (Hawthorne)
Grace Lutheran College
AB Paterson
Iona College
Brisbane State High School
Balmoral State High School
St Laurence's College
Anglican Church Grammar
Somerville House
Brisbane Boy's College
Morayfield State High School
Caboolture State High School
Narangba Valley State High School
Deception Bay State High School
Dakabin State High School
Clontarf Beach State High School
Murrumba State Secondary College
Media contacts:
Sandra Hutchinson, QUT media officer, 07 3138 0358 (Tues-Wed) or media@qut.edu.au (Mon-Fri)
Rose Trapnell, QUT team leader, 07 3138 2361
