The Science and Engineering Challenge is a two-day event that aims to encourage students of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) streams at schools to consider tertiary advancement in these critical career paths by subjecting them to challenging, practical projects over a short timeframe. The students work in teams for approximately two hours on each of two of the eight projects throughout the day, gaining points as each project progresses towards completion. The Gold Coast event this year on the 12/13 of June 2024 was held at All Saints Anglican School for the first time, where the facilities were truly first class. There were eight schools representing the State Sector and eight Private School representatives. Results were close with Hillcrest Christian College the winners on Wednesday and Benowa State High School on Thursday.

512 students from 16 Gold Coast Schools participated and all were very motivated and enjoyed the day as did all Challenge organizers. A big thankyou to Ian Wilson, who acted as an organizer for our club, and to members Andrew Svenson, Brad Francis, Brian McAllan, Michel Hyland, Robyn Schatz and Rob Deshon for assisting with the running of the program.

This is a photo of Parris Smith at the 2024 District Rotary Conference at Ballina. Parris is pictured with current President of our club Brian McAllan (left of Parris) and president Elect Robert Deshon.

Parris began her Rotary journey when Ashmore Rotary Club sponsored her to RYLA. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards is an intensive leadership experience organized by rotary clubs open to 18 to 30 year olds.