By Times’ Junior Journalist Manayah Peiris The recently held STEM Challenge Day was an amazing opportunity for young students to be introduced to STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It was organised by TENZ (Technology Education New Zealand), particularly Stuart Rankin, the STEM teacher at Point View School, as well as Claire Wigley and Ruth Lemon, who are kaiārahi, or advisors for TENZ. One of the first events of its kind, it was staged at Auckland’s MOTAT, the Museum of Transport and Technology. For many years the event was held annually at Point View School, and was aimed at the local area. However this year, Mr Rankin decided he wanted to have it somewhere different. “Given the fact he (Mr Rankin) had so many schools this year, he wanted to host it in a new venue, and he really liked the idea of having it at MOTAT because it meant that first of all, all the kids could come to MOTAT for free, and have a look,” Claire says. “And because MOTAT are strong supporters of TENZ, and they’re really proactive in trying to get kids involved in technology.” This event allowed year 3 and 4 students, in teams of three, with 14 schools from across Auckland, to come together and compete in a variety of STEM-based challenges. There was a huge turnout, the total number of students coming close to MOTAT’s 60-child limit. Most competing schools were from the Howick area, and some of them included Sunnyhills Primary, Mellons Bay Primary, Elm Park School and Howick Primary. In addition, 13 year 6 students from Point View School were chosen to help out on the day as assistants, running different activities. “Mr Rankin really wanted everybody to be engaged and have fun and try new challenges,” Claire says. “He really wanted it to be an event where kids could come, they don’t have to do any writing, it’s just fun, and it’s just to try out different types of STEM activities.” Students competed in seven different STEM-based challenges throughout the day, such as Cartesian Divers, Top Trumps, Sphero Golf, R2D2 bowling and more that challenged them to think like scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians. Not only did the day introduce students to STEM, but they also built valuable teamwork skills. “At the Sphero Golf, the students cheered each other on, and discovered ways to get the spherical robot into the hole faster,” says Micaiah, one of the student assistants on the day. “This showed teamwork and perseverance.” Another assistant, Oliver, says: “The students worked together by collaborating greatly and by always keeping the kid doing the activity really hyped up. “They always had each other’s backs.” The winning school was Sunnyhills Primary. Second place went to Rowandale School in Manurewa, and third went to Elm Park School. “I think it was a huge success,” Claire says. “All the kids were really happy, they were really engaged, no one was really bored. “I hope everybody left feeling inspired and curious about STEM and what they can do with STEM, and how they can be solving problems and helping communities.” On behalf of TENZ, Claire would like to thank Mr Rankin, Ruth Lemon, MOTAT, parent helpers, and all the schools who came. “I personally would like to thank Mr Rankin because he’s the one who came up with this idea, he’s the one that worked really hard to make it work for everybody else. “I’d like to thank Ruth Lemon, who took time out of her day to come and help with it as well. “But the main thing is we want to thank the schools and the kids for coming and having fun. “They (MOTAT) were really helpful. They’re very easy to work with and they’re very supportive.” TENZ is an organisation that actively supports STEM in schools. They create resources for teachers who want to teach STEM in their classes, particularly around biotechnology, as well as Digital Technology, Textiles, Food Technology, Science and Robotics. Manayah Peiris is in year 8 at Somerville Intermediate School.