Youth & Science Programs

Science and Engineering Challenge

The Science and Engineering Challenge is a joint project managed by Engineers Australia Northern Division and supported by Charles Darwin University.  

Created and run on the day by the University of Newcastle, the Science & Engineering Challenge is a fun day of competition designed to demostrate the varied possibilities science & engineering offer as a profession.

Go to the Science & Engineering Challenge website to find out more about the competition.

The 2012 Science and Engineering Challenge will be held at the following dates:

• Darwin - May 2nd & 3rd May 2012
• Alice Springs - May 8th 2012

Registration is now open! To register your school, please complete the online registration form. Numbers are limited each day, so register early to avoid dissapointment.

If you would like to volunteer to help out at this event, please register your interest here.

If you would like more information, please contact Keely Quinn, telephone 8981 4137.

SunChase

SunChase is an exciting and educational event for students interested in designing, building, and racing model solar cars and boats.  Open to all school levels, the event gives students an introduction to design and construction of a car powered by the Sun.   Please contact Keely Quinn in Darwin or Renee Vincent in Alice Springs for further details or visit the SunChase Website.

SMART (Science, Math And Real Technology)

SMART has been a focus for Northern Division for a number of years.  A series of regional visits commenced in November 2011 from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek, includinging Ali Curung, Bradshaw and Ti-Tree Primary School.

The program in 2012 will focus on Darwin and regions including Batchelor, Katherine and Jabiru, Alice Springs and outlying areas.    The Science, Maths and Real Technology (SMART) Program is an initiative of the University of Newcastle, and aims to bring science into the wider community. The target group is school-aged children but shows can be modified to suit audiences of any age.

Science is an integral part of daily life. Nearly everything we do has its basis in science, and SMART Shows attempt to illustrate this point by using ordinary – and some not so ordinary – items in extraordinary ways.    Rates of enrolment in science at HSC level have dramatically declined over the last few years. By encouraging young children to develop an early interest in science, this trend may be slowed and, hopefully, reversed. SMART shows are designed develop this interest in children who may not already think science is exciting, and to encourage it in those that do.

Shows will be performed by University of Newcastle staff members.  The Shows themselves will last for approximately 45 minutes.  Different aspects of science are demonstrated in a fun, interesting and interactive manner.

Shell Australia has provided funding over 3 years for the SMART program and is supported by Outback Stores and ALPA.   This funding has allowed Northern Division to plan for the next 3 years.  

For more information on SMART please contact Keely Quinn.

EngQuest

2011 saw a record of number of students, teachers and schools participating in Engquest.

Targeted to primary school students, EngQuest is an all year round, web based program to provide a hands-on way for students to achieve key learning outcomes in science, mathematics and technology without leaving the class room.

Fun and interactive student projects combined with comprehensive resources and teacher support make EngQuest the perfect package for primary school teachers across Australia.

Registration is free and there are some fantastic prizes on offer. All students will receive a certificate of participation recognising their efforts.

With brand new projects, comprehensive Teacher Packs and fantastic prizes, EngQuest is a program of Engineers Australia. EngQuest is supported by the Australian Government through a Science Connections Program Grant administered by the Department of Education, Science and Training.

We aim to link members of the engineering team to schools to talk to the students.

What will the website include?The comprehensive education website with cross-curricular lesson and activity ideas will involve multiple tasks, with three learning levels to choose from.

The site will provide teachers with relevant information and resources to guide student projects with ease. Participants will be able to download teachers' packs complete with lesson plans and student hand-outs.

Go to http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/engquest/ to get started.

Inspiring Australia

This Inspiring Australia strategy aims to build a strong, open relationship between science and society, underpinned by effective communication of science and its benefits.

The national strategy has broad objectives that require the widespread support of our science and research agencies, our education providers, our industry and business sector, our cultural and community organisations and many others  working together.

In 2012 a competitive grants round for funding for Science Events in the Northern Territory will open. Please e-mail Keely Quinn if you would like to be contacted when the round opens.