Young science and engineering talent from across the region is coming together in Mount Gambier today for the Science and Engineering Challenge, giving secondary school students an opportunity to test their creativity, technical knowledge and teamwork.

The event is being held at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre as part of activities leading into National Science Week. Teams made up of Year 9 and 10 students from regional high schools are taking part in a series of practical challenges designed to encourage students to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in an engaging and competitive environment.

Rather than focusing only on traditional classroom learning, the challenge requires students to work together on hands-on engineering problems. The competition features eight different tasks, with activities ranging from designing and building a wind turbine to developing a digital communications system. Students are also challenged to construct a bridge using materials including balsa and straws, with the structure required to withstand a trolley weighing five kilograms.

The activities are designed to test more than technical knowledge. Students must communicate effectively with their teammates, divide responsibilities, make decisions under time pressure and find practical solutions when their original ideas do not work. These skills are increasingly important in science and engineering careers, where successful projects often depend on collaboration between people with different areas of expertise.

The Mount Gambier event is being coordinated by the University of Newcastle and hosted locally by the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier Lakes. A number of local organisations and businesses are supporting the challenge, including Beach Energy, the City of Mount Gambier, Adelaide University and Kimberly-Clark Australia. Local engineering companies are also providing professional staff who will assist and mentor students throughout the competition.

The competition provides students with an opportunity to see how STEM concepts can be applied to real-world problems. Building structures, designing mechanical systems and creating communication solutions require participants to combine mathematics, physics, design thinking and practical problem-solving.

There is also a competitive pathway attached to the event. Schools are competing for the opportunity to progress to the state final in Adelaide in September. The competition will ultimately culminate in a national final at Parliament House in Canberra in October, where state winners will compete against teams from across Australia.

The Mount Gambier challenge is scheduled to run from 9am, with final judging and the announcement of the day's winner scheduled for 1:50pm. The event is expected to provide students with both a challenging competition and an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals working in technical fields.

For Mount Gambier and the wider Limestone Coast, the event highlights the growing importance of encouraging young people to consider STEM education and careers. By bringing students, teachers, professional engineers, community organisations and local businesses together, the challenge creates a practical environment where young people can develop confidence while applying their classroom knowledge.