Schools building bridges to a career in engineering

Engineering and specialist technical firm, Aurecon this week launched its 2011 model Bridge Building Competition for high school students across Australia and New Zealand.

Designed to inspire and encourage high school students to take up STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in their electives, the competition encourages students to think laterally and solve a specific problem using engineering and technical skills.

Following the popularity of last year’s event, the competition has been expanded to additional locations in Queensland, Western Australia and New Zealand, launching Aurecon’s first Trans-Tasman challenge.

The Aurecon Bridge Building competition brings together schools to see who can build the strongest bridge out of balsa sticks, glue and string. On 'judging day' in August the model bridges are tested to destruction to determine the maximum load capacity and judged on aesthetics and workmanship.

The St Pius X High School, the overall winners of the 2010 competition, built a bridge that withstood 100.6kg before collapsing – an incredible achievement for a 65 cm bridge span.

Prizes are awarded in each state and an overall winning design is identified.

Bill Cox, Chief Executive, Australia and New Zealand, Aurecon said“It is crucial for our profession toemphasisethe importance of learning maths, science, and technical skills.This competition started 10 years ago and has been a resounding success; last year we had 423 students comprising 141 teams from 111 schools compete and this year we are inviting many more schools to register and join the fun”.

St Pius X High School Science Teacher, Julie Healey, said the event helped her appreciate the range of specialised engineering disciplines available, commenting “Students found participating and talking to young engineers very valuable as they had no idea the profession was so broad. I can also give more advice in terms of jobs and subject choices”.

Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, which also values the bridge building event has responded to student interest in technical based subjects by introducing Engineering Studies to the senior curriculum.

“It is important to give students access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their future and engineering based subjects are proving popular with our students” said Allison Sands, Science and Engineering Studies Teacher, Lindisfarne Anglican School.

Scheduled to take place in August, the annual event is supported by various industry sponsors and helps Aurecon in its efforts to raise awareness and interest in the engineering profession among secondary school students before they choose their electives for the Higher School Certificate.