Mr Alex Norman is bringing technology and engineering to students at Emerald State High School. With a growing focus on STEM, Alex saw a unique opportunity for his Year 9 Industrial Technology Design students to apply design and engineering skills to a real world project.

The first part of the project involves the preparation of a comprehensive design by the students. The second part includes the building of that design and the third part will be the endurance challenge. Students are working in teams to design and build efficient, highly engineered vehicles for everyday use.

On 9 September 2017, 24 students will compete in the 2017 RACQ Technology Challenge in Maryborough in a class designed and built Human Powered Vehicle (HPV).  The challenge requires students to participate in a 24 hour cycling endurance challenge.

The students went through prototyping phases of concept sketching and physical prototyping. Many of the students had unique and interesting designs. Each student had to present their design to the class and a vote was taken on the final design that would be built.

It was decided the HPV will be made from 20mm steel square hollow bar. Through the process, students are developing skills that will help them in engineering, with welding and construction processes.  These skills are really important for students as they will provide the workforce for Central Queensland’s future.

Another aspect that the students have had to learn is financial. They are working hard to raise money for the project with community sausage sizzlers and raffle tickets. Emerald State High School has received support from for the local Rotary and Lions Clubs, donations for raffles from local business (Emerald Hotel bottle shop, Mitre 10, Genisis Hair Design, Roses and Beans and Highland Homewares) as well as monetary donations from the Ensham Mine, Komatsu, Elastomers Plastics and the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The community has really invested in the project and are helping to make it possible. The students are excited to see through the construction of their Human Powered Vehicle and showcase the result in September.