The “Brisbane South Challenge”, part of the Science and Engineering program for Year 10 students, was well supported by volunteers from our Springwood, Logan Village, Greenbank and Park Ridge Probus clubs again this year. The two “Discovery Days” for Year 6 students held again in early June, at Park Ridge State High School were also a success, supported by Probus club volunteers from clubs in the area. The “Brisbane South Challenge” as this is known, was commenced in 2005 the Rotary Club of Loganholme in association with the University of Newcastle and Griffith University. The Rotary Club of Capalaba and Rotary Nomads are also now keen supporters.

This “Challenge” is now part of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiative to encourage school students to choose Engineering or Science related careers to address the shortage of these skills in Australia. The Challenge and Discovery Days have eight different projects which are designed to challenge them, but also have fun and encourage team building among the participants from eight schools each day – with up to 20 students attending from each school. The University of Newcastle have two representatives who bring equipment for each challenge – and Griffith University has a number of their students also attend to set up and supervise each activity. Probus and Rotary Volunteers are also then required to assist with supervising the activity and then record score sheets to gauge the success of each school. The highlight of each day is the competition between each school to build a bridge carrying a trolley loaded with “gold ore” across a “gorge” between two cliffs.

Merv Richens - Probus Volunteer Coordinator.