Scotch College crowned national champions

Scotch College were crowned the 2007 Science and Engineering Grand Challenge National Champions after winning the gold division round at USQ on Thursday 18 October 2007.

More than 500 grade nine and ten students from across the country competed in the event over two days.

The school from Hawthorn in Victoria beat seven other schools during the second day of the competition, which was hosted by USQ Toowoomba.

Science and Engineering Regional Chair Harry Spencer said Scotch College was very impressive in taking out the title.

'The Science and Engineering Grand Challenge is all about being consistent throughout all the activities and Scotch College did that,' Mr Spencer said.

'I congratulate them on their performance and being the 2007 Science and Engineering Grand Challenge national champions.'

Now in its eighth year, the Grand Challenge was the culmination of a series of regional Science and Engineering Regional Challenges involving more than 15,500 students from over 550 high schools throughout Australia.

With the other seven schools also competing well in the Grand Challenge, Mr Spencer added that this year's was the closest on record.

'There was only 6.8 points separating first and second place, which went to Launceston Christian School,' he said.

'In the history of the Grand Challenge there has never been a margin between first and second that has been this small.'

So close was the result that it came down to the last activity on the day to decide the winner.

'It wasn't until Gold Fever, that we were able to determine the national champion and it made for an exciting finish,' Mr Spencer said.

'It was great to see all of the schools getting involved in the day and enjoying themselves.'

With the event established to help increase numbers of students doing science and engineering subjects in senior school and onto tertiary education, Mr Spencer said that the response to the Challenge would hopefully mean another jump in the number of students doing further study in these areas.

The aim of the Challenge is to increase the number of students who are doing these subjects and through this event it shows them that you can have fun with science and engineering.

'If we can keep participation rates high in the Challenge this is something that can be achieved.'

USQ and the Rotary Club of Toowoomba East co-hosted the Science and Engineering Grand National Challenge as part of USQ's 40th anniversary celebrations in 2007.

The Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) were major contributors, with Engineers Australia and Main Roads major sponsors. 20 other universities were also involved in the program.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628