Science and engineering challenge unearths STEM leaders of tomorrow

Paul Eyers
By Paul Eyers
5 Min Read

Smith’s Hill High students have engineered their way to becoming Australia’s STEM leaders of tomorrow, laying the foundations for success with a winning finish at the 2024 Science and Engineering Challenge finals.

Competing against 964 teams from 876 schools, the Wollongong-based school team of 32 students demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, solidifying their win in Australia’s most prestigious STEM high school competition.

Held at Townsville’s James Cook University, the SEC finals aim to spark students’ interest in science and engineering by presenting them with real-world problems and challenges. 

Smith’s Hill’s students tackled tasks that tested their creativity, technical know-how, and teamwork, covering various science and engineering challenges, with judges declaring them the winner at the end of the two-day contest.

The win solidified the school’s place in producing some of Australia’s top emerging engineering talent and set an inspiring example for future participating students across the country.

Catapulting towards success

Smith’s Hill students dominated several standout activities that slingshot the group to victory, most notably the “Catapult” challenge – a student favourite for its hands-on application and strategy.

Team member Finn Dempsey told Build-it that his group’s approach combined trial and error with engineering fundamentals to help achieve the task’s goal of launching a tennis ball as far and as accurately as possible.

“We trialled our catapult many times, finding that by gracing the front with people’s feet when firing and by tracking exactly how far back the arm was pulled each time, we were able to improve the catapult range as well as accuracy going into the final trials,” he said.

Smith Hill High Students take part in one of the SEC Finals engineering challenges.
Smith Hill High Students take part in one of the SEC Finals engineering challenges.

Finn’s twin brother Aidan was part of Smith’s Hill’s champion team and contributed to the school’s success through the wind turbine and fish traps challenges. Despite the school’s victory, he said it was the opportunity to hear from those who had successful STEM careers that boosted his interest since the event.

“We heard from multiple engineers and scientists who explained what they actually do as their job and the misconceptions around a career path in science and engineering,” he told Build-it.

“I think that I am much more open to a future career in the field than previously, now that I have spent time engaging and learning about the subject more in-depth.”

Constructing STEM Confidence

Participating in the SEC has had a positive impact on students’ perceptions of STEM careers, reinforcing the practical side of engineering as a viable, dynamic career path.

Historically, the SEC has positively impacted students’ study choices, particularly when it comes to traditionally challenging subjects they may otherwise have lacked the confidence to enrol in.  

62  per cent of students who chose to study senior physics said participating in the challenge influenced their decision. In comparison, 63 per cent reported the same about their choice to study engineering.  

Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters of all students surveyed said they had a greater insight into possible STEM careers since taking part in the SEC. At the same time, more than half felt greater confidence in their STEM abilities post-participation. 

Student Ronan Gracias said the competition had deepened his understanding of engineering’s real-world applications, from testing materials to iterating designs.

“Working through hands-on tasks gave me insight into the practical challenges and rewards of engineering, from testing materials to iterating designs under real constraints,” he said.

“Beyond technical learning, I developed skills in collaboration, time management, and strategic thinking as my team navigated high-pressure situations, made quick decisions, and refined our ideas together.” 

Amaan Vakil, another Smith’s Hill team member, emphasised the value of teamwork and strategy in the competition, which he told Build-it he’d transfer to other aspects of his education journey. 

“The activities on the day are not only fun, but they promote a sense of teamwork, and the reward that you get for winning is an unforgettable life experience,” he said.

“The skills that you learn from this event can also be carried over to later years in school life, and even if you don’t make it as far as the National level, it would be a missed opportunity not to go.”

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Paul Eyers has worked as a journalist for a range of media publishers including News Corp and Network Ten. He has also worked outside of Australia, including time spent with ABS-CBN in the Philippines. Stepping away from the media, Paul spent five years sharpening his tools in construction - building his skill set and expertise within the trade industry. His diverse experiences and unique journey have equipped him with an insider view of Australia’s construction game to dig deep into the big stories.