Hands-on engineering: Local schools visit UWS
The next generation of engineers engaged their minds and their hands at the University of Western Sydney recently as the annual Engineers Australia Autumn School came to the Penrith campus.
UWS School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics staff hosted 50 students in Years 11 and 12 from across Sydney on Wednesday 17 April.
The high school students, who all have a keen interest in engineering, got their hands dirty building, assembling and testing.
Activities included building a small bridge no larger than a suitcase that could support over 1 tonne. The students assembled the bridge from a box full of parts using only a photograph of the final design as a guide.
Smart materials that respond to heat, light, electricity and other stimuli were the focus of another lab activity.
Students built robotic 'ants' that used smart materials for legs. An electric current makes the legs flex but the key was to make all six legs flex in concert so the robot moved.
The magic of electromagnetism was used to good effect when the students built dynamic motors.
There was also a demonstration of the University's Wonderama – an immersive interactive panoramic display wall that can take viewers on virtual fly-throughs of almost any location on Earth or have them driving through the streets of a city of their choice.
Students also met current UWS engineering students to hear firsthand what it's like at uni, toured the Penrith campus facilities such as the library, gym and labs and received information on engineering courses and scholarships at UWS.
Feedback from the high school students was positive with students reporting they enjoyed learning about "cool new things" and being hands-on with the activities.
"I enjoyed making my own creation, which was satisfying when I had finished," wrote one of the students on a questionnaire handed out after the event.
"I learnt a lot and it was interesting," commented another student.
The visit was part of the Gateway to Engineering Autumn School organised by Engineers Australia.
Ends
24 May 2013
Photos: Paul Grocott
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