Four College Senior Students are the STEM Australian Champions, winners of the 2020 National 4x4 in Schools Technology Challenge. Amy Combs, Jye Hefren, Sarah Dutton and Caleb Hefren have worked as a team for almost a year, constructing and modifying an autonomous vehicle, learning and using skills in electronics, coding, robotics, 3D printing and graphic design to build and market a remotely operating off-road vehicle.

The team have developed their skills in programs such as Arduino, Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, Micro:bit, and Fusion 360 which will be transferable across a wide variety of subject areas.

The College and Wagga Community have been extremely supportive of this student led team, offering great learning opportunities through mentorships from Brad Jones Racing in Albury and Snap Printing Wagga. Support from Wagga City Council gave encouragement to the team in their communication with each other and the wider community, while team sponsors allowed the team to gather resources to support their final competition submission.

The College and Wagga Community have been extremely supportive of this student led team, offering great learning opportunities through mentorships from Brad Jones Racing in Albury and Snap Printing Wagga. Support from Wagga City Council gave encouragement to the team in their communication with each other and the wider community, while team sponsors allowed the team to gather resources to support their final competition submission.

Receiving the National Championship Trophy from mentor, Tony Woodward, Chief Engineer at @bjrsupercars Brad Jones Racing V8 Supercar Championship Team, made presentation day a particularly special day for this Senior 4x4 STEM team. Tony had worked with the team over Zoom during 2020 as the students developed and engineered their car for the 4x4 In Schools Technology Challenge. He shared his expertise with Supercars providing advice on construction, materials and coding allowing the students to refine their design of car components.

Middle and Senior Students are welcome to investigate the opportunities available in the Design and Technology room, with lunchtime STEM groups available focusing on a range of different areas including lego robotics and submarine design. The technology students had an extra boost last week with the addition of a laser cutter to their classroom resources.

Mr David Crick, Head of TAS

Find out more about the 4x4 in Schools Technology Challenge here. The Daily Advertiser and Prime 7 (at 12mins 46secs) also recorded the great win!