Matthew Tucker first attended the Science and Engineering Challenge a decade ago as a year 10 student, with the spark of what would be a career in electrical engineering.
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On Tuesday he returned, this time as a teacher.
"I did it in about 2006 when I was in year 10," he said.
"I really enjoyed it, it was one of the two things that ignited a passion for science and engineering for me and that's why I ended up studying electrical engineering and then I started doing this because I also enjoyed science communication."
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His is just one of many stories of science success sparked by the schools' challenge.
The first of 1000 students from Tamworth, Quirindi and Manilla schools put their minds to the test at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC) on Tuesday.
Students competed in physics-based tasks like building a hovercraft, making and using a bionic hand and designing a load-bearing tower.
Year 8 Carinya student Isabella Hazelwood had a slight headstart on the physics of building a tower.
Her dad's an engineer at Tamworth Regional Council.
His most useful piece of advice: use a beam to add structural strength, she said.
Rotary coordinator Glenn McIntosh helped students work through another challenge: balancing a miniature power grid.
Balancing coal, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear and solar generation in a range of scenarios that require students to use the best mix of all without causing grid collapse is quite a tricky task, he said.
"It's giving them a chance to understand the different power types that are out there, that are available," he said.
"The key part of this is the teamwork. It can only be done by the kids setting the loads in as efficient a configuration as possible, and then also by manipulating the power types in such a way that both the cost and the efficiency use is there."
The challenge was founded in 2000 by local businesses, teachers and scientific professionals concerned about a decline in rates of applications at the University of Newcastle in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Team leader Peter Newman said there was good evidence the challenge encouraged students into a scientific career, just like if did for Mr Tucker.
"We're not saying we're changing lives necessarily, but it's just another touch point to get people into STEM careers and I think it's a great starting point for a lot of those kids," Mr Newman said.
Winning high school teams will go on to participate at regional finals, state finals and finally nationals.
The University of Newcastle event has skipped just one year in 21, due to last year's coronavirus crisis.
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