In collaboration with University of Newcastle
Science and Engineering
Challenge 2024
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a day-long competition designed for Year 9 and 10 students. Students are involved in an exhilarating day competing against other schools in fun and engaging hands-on science and engineering activities such as designing an earthquake proof tower, building a bridge to withstand a weighted trolley, providing electricity to a city or creating a Mars Rover to travel across difficult terrain.
Typically 8 schools bring 32 students (256 students in total) to compete across the 8 activities. Schools are awarded points based on performance for each activity and the school with the most cumulative points at the end of the day is declared the winner. Qualifying schools may go on to complete at State Finals, and eight winning schools from around Australia are invited to compete at a one-day National Final each year.
Discovery Days – just like the Challenge for high schools, Discovery Days involves Year 5 and 6 students in meaningful, hands-on experiences that inspire them to make a difference in the world by choosing a career in Science and Engineering … It is also a lot of fun!
Date claimers for 2024
Science and Engineering Challenge
- Sunshine Coast – Venue: UniSC Arena
- Tuesday 5 March
- Wednesday 6 March
- Thursday 7 March
- Fraser Coast – Venue: PCYC Pialba, Hervey Bay
- Friday 17 May
- Moreton Bay – Venue: Redcliffe State High School
- Tuesday 28 May
- Discovery Day – Wednesday 29 May (Primary Students in Years
To book your school – email mindset-doEvents@usc.edu.au NOW
2022 Science and Engineering Challenges
The Fraser Coast Science and Engineering Challenge was held on one day in May. The Sunshine Coast Science and Engineering Challenge was held over 3 days in July. Both events provided Year 10 (or Year 9) students with a positive experience of science and engineering activities, as well as inspiring careers in STEM.
2022 Fraser Coast
1 day
6 Schools
134 Students
2022 Sunshine Coast
3 days
19 Schools
477 Students
Congratulations to all the teams who competed in the Sunshine Coast 2022 Challenge!
Day 1
Winners – Pacific Lutheran College – 1258.08 pts
2nd – Gympie State High School – 1248.79
3rd – Good Samaritan Catholic College – 1228.55
4th – Victory College – 1143.10
5th – St Andrew’s Anglican College – 879.47
Day 2
Winners – Noosa District State High School – 1329.41 pts
2nd – Beerwah State High School – 1303.06
3rd – St John’s College – 1275.20
4th – Matthew Flinders Anglican College – 1259.14
5th – Good Shepherd Lutheran College – 1228.22
6th – Sunshine Beach State High School – 1200.67
7th – Caloundra State High School – 984.07
Day 3
Winners – Mountain Creek State High School – 1332.77 pts
2nd – Meridan State College – 1312.08pts
3rd – Coolum State High School – 1170.09
4th – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – 1145.91
5th – Caloundra City Private School – 1095.88
6th – Burnside State High School – 1033.72
7th – Glasshouse Christian College – 736.81
How does it work?
Each school bring a team of between 16 and 32 students. Each school “team” is divided into 8 groups of 2 to 4 students. There are 8 activities to participate in.
“The highlight of the challenge for me was learning there’s many ways to solve a problem“
Students are awarded points for each activity and the school with the most cumulative points at the end of the day is declared the winner! Here is the list of activities being offered in 2022.
The SEC, in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, encourages students to consider a career in science or engineering while engaging in exciting competition.
More information about the challenge, competition and activities can also be found on the University of Newcastle website: