Second Engineering Link Project on the Darling Downs!

On Thursday 26th and Friday 27th February, 25 students and 6 teachers completed the first Engineering Link Project for 2015.  As is usual in Toowoomba (and everywhere else we’ve been), the local engineers were eager to work with the students and likewise, the students tackled difficult problems with enthusiasm and vigor.

Thursday 26th February

Students from as far away as Roma gathered at USQ (Toowoomba campus) for a day of engineering.

Andrew Tuxford from Russell Mineral Equipment shared his experiences as a mechanical engineer and then the students tackled a rather tricky problem of designing a vehicle that would traverse a rough terrain in a precise time.  Calculators and pencils were smoking while the students were trying to get the gear ratios exactly right.  In a very limited time, most groups were able to get a working vehicle and two groups achieved their goal within acceptable tolerances.

After lunch, the focus changed to electrical engineering.  Josh Hockey from Ergon Energy discussed his career and how he came to be a power engineer.  Dr Mark Norman of USQ joined us and the students worked through a first year engineering activity, where they constructed a DC motor and then tested its characteristics using a CRO.

Students were very pleased with the Project and most expressed a desire to pursue engineering when they finished school.

TELG is very grateful to the teachers and students from the following schools for supporting this event:

• Toowoomba Grammar School
• St John’s School, Roma
• Christian Outreach College, Toowoomba
• Clifton State High School

Friday 27th February 2015

A small but dedicated band of teachers assembled on USQ for a day of STEM professional development.

Glenn Springall from Ergon Energy started the day off on the best foot possible, with a thoroughly interesting and thought-provoking presentation on how electrical and power engineers using maths and science in their every day work.  We are always so impressed and grateful with the support that Ergon Energy and its engineers provide us all over Queensland.

After sharing resources and teaching ideas, we moved to Wagner Composites where Michael Kemp spent a deal of time explaining what composites are and how Wagners see them as the future of the construction industry (in the appropriate places).  We were then taken on a tour of the factory floor where we could see how it all worked.  We were particularly impressed with the fibreglass weaving machinery and the robotic arms.

Again, we are very grateful for the support of the following schools:

• Goondiwindi State High School
• St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe
• Lockyer District State High School
• Fairholme College
• St John’s School, Roma
• Toowoomba Grammar School

Special thanks to Steven Goh and Raylene Jones of USQ for hosting and supporting our event.