Not all Smoke and Mirrors at the Science and Technology Challenge 2014
On Friday morning, October 17, 2014, SEG hosted the Science and Technology (S&T) Challenge for more than 900 secondary school students. The objective of the annual event is to create a learning interest in polytechnic science and engineering through interactive and fun activities. A total of 254 teams comprising 943 students from 31 Secondary Schools took part in the S&T Challenge 2014.
The event also gave prospective students a chance to explore the facilities at Nanyang Polytechnic and attend interesting lectures. SEG students were also on hand to guide the students and help them to bond through the various activities.
The event started at 8am. Ms Agnes Ng, Senior Lecturer at SEG, gave the welcome address at the Auditorium. After the address, all the students were divided into eleven different categories and ushered by NYP student helpers to their respective lecture theatres for a briefing on their challenge.
Welcome Address for students at Auditorium
SEG Students ushering Secondary school students to different lecture theatres for their briefing
The eleven different challenges commenced at the same time around the campus. They were: Build-A-Bridge, Amazon Treasure Hunt, Balloon-Powered Vehicle, Balancing Bicycle, Hybrid Boat, Radio � Controlled Aircraft, Find my Cheese, Vortex Ring Air Cannon, Flying Bullets, Wind � Powered Racer, and Dance Dance Robolution.
Briefing and demo conducted by Mr Soo for Challenge category 8: Vortex Ring Air Cannon
Field Test Challenge briefing conducted by SEG students
After the briefing, the students were given a short break to enjoy the morning
refreshments provided by our school.
At 11am, the students went to different venues on Campus to design and build their prototypes for their challenges. The students were given an hour and thirty minutes to finish their prototypes.
Students busy making their prototypes at Auditorium Function Room
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| The Air Cannons made by the students from category 8: Vortex Ring Air Cannon |
After building their prototypes, the students had their lunch and had their field test challenge conducted by SEG students. This �segment' tests the students ability to make the prototype work. Their prototype had to pass the obstacles set by the student helpers. In the process, the students got to learn from their mistakes and see their efforts come to fruition.
These are the games stations for the field test challenge at Auditorium Function Room.
Game Station: Rolling Cups
Game station: Rolling Rings
Game station: Rack IT
Game station: Battle of the Vortex
Game station: Obstacles Maze
The team that won the innovation award for Vortex Ring Air Cannon Category, CHIJ Toa Payoh!
After the field test challenge at 4pm, the students had a short break and were given afternoon refreshments followed by the prize presentation for all categories at the Atrium. The overall winner for all the categories turned out to be Swiss Cottage Secondary School! The winning team was so happy that all the members climbed on to the stage, congratulating each other. They also posed really creatively for their group photograph.
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| Swiss Cottage Secondary School, the overall winners! |
As the event came to a close, I asked a student helper how he felt helping out in this event.
�I enjoyed everyone�s company while helping out in this event. To me, teamwork is important, but communication in a team is more important,� said Chua Jun Wen, a third year SEG student.
As for myself, I too enjoyed helping out in Science and Technology Challenge 2014. It was a fun filled event with exciting challenges across different categories. Credit goes to all the lecturers and students who made this event an amazing experience.
By Tay Jia Min, Year 2, Diploma in Electrical Engineering with Eco-Design.
Jia Min is doing her Diploma in Electrical Engineering with Eco- Design. Other than reading novels and watching television shows, she also enjoys folding origami and listening to music during her free time.
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