Science and Engineering Competition

Well done to the Year 9 and 10 students who competed in the University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Competition hosted by Massey University and the Pūhoro Māori STEM Academy.

The students were divided into groups and tasked with completing various engineering construction challenges, such as bridge building and constructing a catapult. Each design was then judged, with points awarded for many different design and production aspects. The day culminated in showing the bridge constructions. Each bridge was tested to see if it could withstand a trolley crossing it, and then weights were added to the trolley. Awatapu’s bridge team was Cumorah Judd, Erana Manu, Cassidy Ututaonga and Xavier Hintz. They were the last to test their construction. Prior to this, the maximum load had been the trolley with one added weight, but our students' bridge held firm with the trolley and five added weights. This was a fantastic result for a full day's work.

In the end, our combined team of 20 Awatapu students, four PNBHS students, and five Te Kura Kaupapa Māori - Te Rito students were declared champions of the whole event; an excellent result for our hard-working students. Well done!