For the second year running, a ME Program school has been crowned national champion in the Science and Engineering Challenge.

After 256 days of competition that reached 16,523 high school students from 620 schools across Australia, the 2016 National Final of the Science and Engineering Challenge was held at the University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay Campus (Hobart) last week.

The Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM* outreach program presented by the University of Newcastle in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors. Through the Challenge, students experience aspects of Science and Engineering which they would not usually see in their school environment. The Challenge runs a range of programs but focuses on inspiring students in year 10 to consider a future career in science and engineering by choosing to study the enabling sciences and mathematics in years 11 and 12.

“We are very proud of the ME Program’s record for inspiring students to not only undertake STEM subjects, but to recognise the opportunity they present as a pathway to STEM careers,” said RDA Hunter’s ME Program Director, Dr Scott Sleap.

“St Mary’s win this year is further evidence that the investment by the Federal Government’s Department of Defence in STEM initiatives such as the ME Program in the Hunter is having a huge effect. It also helps that we have some of the best STEM teachers in the country teaching in our local schools. Congratulations to this great school, teacher and the awesome students from St Mary’s Catholic College.” continued Dr Sleap.