The next generation of engineering students were put to the test at Farrer on Wednesday as the school teamed up with the University of NSW to take on two challenges.
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The UNSW’s Engineering Without Borders tour has been designed to educate, initiate and attract students to the field, as the nation faces a short fall in the number of engineers coming through the ranks.
Along with the help of a graduate and three UNSW engineering students the Farrer year eight boys were tasked with the challenges, as well as a theory session.
The first task was to design, build and test a floating house, while the second was to design and produce a wind turbine capable of powering a light.
Science teacher Katie Rowe said the hands on workshops were a great way to teach the kids, sometimes without them realising.
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“The boys really like the hands on learning,” she said.
“It is not just about the engineering either, because they have to work in teams they have to communicate and problem solve together.
“The amount of different ideas and designs for the same project is incredible.”
Graduate engineer Khan Schroder-Turner said the project is about exposing as many students to engineering as possible.
This year the Engineering Without Borders tour have held over 100 workshops all over the state, including Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Armidale, with Newcastle the next and final destination.
For Farrer student Charlie Kennedy the workshop really sparked an interest.
“I didn’t know how vast the field of engineering was,” he said.
“We are learning a lot of new things, and having the experienced teachers and students is brilliant.
“It is definitely something I would think about for a career.”