Schools take up scientific Challenge at USQ

Isabella Andersen likes to see scientific principles put into practice – and her school do well in local competitions.

It was no surprise, then, that the Goondiwindi State High School teenager decided to take part in the Regional Science and Engineering Challenge at USQ for a second time.

'I came last year as well,' Isabella, 15, said. 'We won our activity and came third in the day’s competition. It’s a great opportunity to experience new things and really challenge ourselves.'

Isabella and her fellow Year 10 classmates Madison McNaughton and Beth Syne joined hundreds of high school students from across the Darling Downs on the first day of the annual competition.  And much to the 'Goondi' girls' surprise and pleasure, Goondiwindi State High School was named the winner of the day.

'It’s good to do something different on a school day,' Madison said. 'I’m looking forward to seeing how the other schools go.'

The event is being held at USQ daily until this Friday (May 20).

Eight schools took part in today’s (May 17) activities: Taroom State High School, Goondiwindi State High, St Saviour’s College, Concordia Lutheran College, Oakey State High School, Fairholme College and Toowoomba Christian College. During the four-day event, almost 1000 students from 31 schools will compete against each other in eight different activities.

The team with the most points receives a trophy. The three highest scoring teams from the Challenge will go on to compete in the Super Challenge against teams from northern New South Wales.

The Challenge dinner, to be held at 6.30pm on Thursday night, will feature guest speaker Lindsay Brown, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at USQ.