STEM design challenge

This National Science Week, the University of Technology Sydney, Engineers Without Borders and Tech Girls Movement Foundation invite regional students to create for your community in a two-day design challenge.

On Thursday 20 & Friday 21 August, classes from Stage 3 and 4 can join our virtual classroom to design, create and build solutions to problems in their community using technology, engineering, science and maths.

This could be designing an application for a local business, prototyping a robot for agriculture or designing infrastructure for better transport. 

Design Challenge Create for your community 20 & 21 August 2020

Before the event, teachers can access videos and templates on our online ‘Blackboard Learn’ portal and participate in an online workshop on design thinking. While this challenge is open to all students, the event also seeks to actively target regional girls’ participation in STEM. 

Download a brochure

Register your interest

Design Challenge Agenda

Before the challenge Teachers are encouraged to attend a free Design Thinking PD workshop on Thursday 13 August, 3.30pm – 4.30pm.

DAY 1 – Thursday 20 August

9.30am – 10.15am – Live webinar with panel of STEM professionals in regional NSW incl. Q&A. This will be recorded for viewing at another time. 

During day 1, students will:

  • Watch videos on design thinking to get ideas flowing
  • Identify stakeholders in the community and understand their problems
  • Define the problem to solve
  • Ideate, refine and evaluate solutions
  • ‘Drop in’ to online meetings via Zoom with mentors from UTS, Tech Girls, EWB and industry from 12pm-1pm and 2pm-3pm

DAY 2 – Friday 21 August

9.30am – 10.00am – Morning inspiration from STEM professionals in regional NSW. This will be recorded for viewing at another time. 

During day 2, students will: 

  • Design and develop prototypes using materials or technology at school 
  • ‘Drop in’ to online meetings via Zoom with mentors from UTS, Tech Girls, EWB and industry from 12pm-1pm and 2pm-3pm
  • Pitch your idea and prototype via video and submit for judging by 3.30pm.

This initiative is a collaboration between UTS Women in Engineering and IT, Engineers Without Borders and Techgirls Movement Foundation and supported by Inspiring Australia NSW as part of National Science Week.