Students take up science careers challenge

Interactive activities were used to promote careers in science during an event at the South West Sports Centre last week.

More than 500 primary and high school students were involved in the Rotary Science and Engineering Challenge which was held over two days.

The challenge is part of a touring series organised by the University of Newcastle in New South Wales.

Organiser and Rotary Club of Bunbury Leschenault member Steve Woodhouse said the event was a “fabulous” success and it particularly aimed to help shape future subject choices for Year 10 students.

“The idea is to stimulate students at this age group so they don’t step away from what are perceived as the harder subjects,” he said.

“They are at the perfect age to just be given a little nudge.”

Mr Woodhouse said Bunbury had a rich heritage of reliance on the resources sector and said engineering was a good career opportunity in the region, which was why the event had been brought to the South West.

Eight participating schools took part in the primary and high school days, which each brought 32 students who took part in a wide range of activities based around teamwork. Students travelled from areas including Perth, Mandurah and Manjimup in addition to schools from Greater Bunbury.

Busselton’s Georgiana Molloy Anglican School won Thursday’s high school challenge and was also named the State champion, which means its students will represent WA at the national finals in October.