A dedicated team of Melville Senior High School students, encouraged by Design and Technology teachers Mr Dion Manby, and Mr Greg Allin, have once again dominated the Electronic Vehicle Challenge held at the Wundowie Hurricane Go Kart Club.
The team worked after school for four months to design and build the shiny silver Highway Star, ready for race day on Saturday 4th of November. The students learnt design techniques; and core metal work, electrical and wiring skills.
The innovative vehicle went on to win the A Class race by driving further than all others in the one hour time limit. The car was also awarded the best design on the day.
Head of the Art and Technologies learning area, Mr David Anderson said “the event is a great activity, as It’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), it’s cross-curricular, it’s fun and we won! EV is a team challenge and our results this year showcase the best of that.”
Part of the team was last year’s team member and 2016 graduate Darcy Harry, who helped with the build and encouraged and mentored the students on the day.
Melville Team awards:
In Class A (for school teams with students up to year 10) we achieved the following results:
2017 EV Challenge – overall A Class winner; 1st Place A Class for most laps completed in a one hour period in new vehicle Highway Star.
2017 EV Challenge ECU Design Award – awarded by ECU scrutineers for most innovative, effective and efficient design for new vehicle Highway Star.
2017 Top Junior School Team – team award for excellence in team work and collaboration in the garage and pits (Our B & C Class teams also returned commendable results in highly competitive fields).
Class B (for school teams with students up to Year 12) – 5th place in a very close field.
Class C (for private, corporate and tertiary teams) – 4th place with alumni driver Darcy Harry representing Melville SHS driving Speedy.