As a proud STEMFest sponsor, ACG Tauranga was delighted to host the inaugural 2019 STEMFest Challenge Day on Wednesday 18th September.
Part of the larger STEMFest festival, this supporting event was created specifically for Year 5-8 students to showcase all that is happening in the world of STEM in an accessible and electrifying way.
Excitement was high as teams from over 20 Bay of Plenty schools descended on our ACG sports complex to complete a range of creative and thought-provoking challenges based around science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“The students challenged themselves by making rockets, solving puzzles, programming robots, and generally having a great time amongst a range of cool Science and Technology activities” says Brent Smith, ACG Tauranga Physics & Science Teacher.
“Of course, no event would be complete without a bona-fide celebrity - and we were extremely lucky to have Nano Girl (AKA New Zealand’s foremost nanotechnologist and science communicator extraordinaire Dr Michelle Dickinson) attend and set her hands on fire!”
The various activities of the day were developed and delivered by STEM Champions - a group of diverse individuals who all embrace STEM in some way. Their combined expertise allowed Challenge Day participants to explore such tasks as Da Vinci bridge building, DNA traits, water buoyancy, underwater ROV racing and engineering structures. Nano Girl also hosted an hour-long Masterclass and Q&A session after the event for lucky Student Champions.
Inspiring a new generation of scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and creative thinkers, the STEM Challenge Day immersed participants in this innovative, ever-changing world, highlighting the benefits of this diverse and exciting field.
“Science permeates our entire world. It’s not just about creating engineers and doctors in the next generation, but worldly citizens who question and challenge in order to make up their own minds about world events that impact their lives” says Mr Smith.
“At the end of the day, we sent 200 exhausted and ecstatic students back to their schools, with the message that ACG Tauranga hosted one of the most amazing days of the year for them so far! Can’t wait to see what next year brings….”
