Fun and engaging challenges were the order of the day for schools in the Mackay region when the 2023 Festival of STEM opened in style at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre.
More than 300 students from twenty-five schools participated in the annual Whitsunday STEM Challenge, competing across three competitions.
Students had the opportunity to test their skills in the Junior Robocup, Drones and F1 in Schools challenges, showcasing months of hard work and dedication.
St Patrick’s College had a total of 15 students across the three competitions, placing first and second in the Junior Drone division.
The Dynamite Drones comprising Matt Keune, Darcy Edgerton and Rexjan Melocotones won the Junior Drone section with the team of Calvin Poelstra, Alijah Cain and Henry Tully finishing runners up.
Hunter McGeary and Aaron Greenwood (Paddy’s Pacers) placed second in the Robocup.
The ‘A Team’, made up of Amelia Coburn and Apuurva Ayyagari, won the Spirit Award for the Robotics Challenge as they demonstrated the core values of the competition – sportsmanship, teamwork, sharing and organisational skills.
Other St Patrick’s College competitors included Kyan Woods and Maddox Takken (Robot Masters), Grace O’Neill and Lucy Shaw (Gun Rescuers) in Robotics competition while Caleb Hocking, Anthony Leonard, Simbarashe Meende, Lincoln Poole, Cayden Smulders, Kevin Varghese and Clayton Woodrow competed in a quality F1 in Schools category.
Three St Patrick’s College teams have qualified for the State Finals to be staged at CQUniversity in October.
Now in its fifth year, the Whitsunday Festival of STEM tests school students in STEM subjects like science, technology, engineering, mathematics and design.
The Challenges took place alongside a mini careers expo showcasing STEM career opportunities available in the region.
By Chris Karas
St Patrick’s College Mackay students Amelia Coburn and Apuurva Ayyagari received the Spirit Award for the Robotics Challenge at the recent Whitsunday Festival of STEM. They are pictured with Mayor of Mackay Greg Williamson and St Patrick’s teacher Sandra Bayliss, Head of Teaching & Learning - Visual Art/Robotics
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