Building a bridge to learning science

Students tried their skills at being structural engineers as part of Manjimup Senior High School’s National Science Week last week.

Throughout the week, students took on a variety of science activities, including building load-bearing bridges out of straw and building a cyclone-proof tower.

In the bridge-building competition, Year 11 student Tristian Berghuis won with a bridge that could hold 6.8kg.

Second place went to Year 12s Zac Karamfiles, Ronan Phillips Johns and Ethan Tennent for a bridge that could hold 6.05kg and third went to Year 11s Michael Keller and Lewis Johnson for the 4.8kg load-bearing bridge.

The school’s head of science Craig Walsh said the science staff placed great value on Science Week and the whole school got involved.

“There is a genuine air of excitement amongst the students and it is very rewarding to see the good team work and problem solving used throughout the challenges,” he said.

Manjimup Senior High School was one of 280 schools that received a 2017 National Science Week grant towards holding activities from Monday to Friday.

The grants were coordinated by the Australian Science Teachers Association, with funding from the Federal Government through the Inspiring Australia program.