Recently we had three teams invited to attend the STEM MAD State finals in Richmond. The STEM MAD program encourages students to use STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) to ‘make a difference’ (MAD) by addressing some of the most pressing challenges faced by communities and the planet.

Our Year 8 ‘TRAC’ team wanted to give people with reduced mobility more autonomy when catching public transport and so designed an automatic ramp that can be controlled by a special Myki. Another Year 8 team designed a plush toy, ‘My Artificial Companion,’ that helps people with anxiety or feelings of loneliness. They programmed the bear using a micro:bit to play songs, run breathing exercises and provide words of affirmation – plus it comes with customisable outfits too! Our Year 9 ‘Hamper4Help’ team were inspired by their BRIDGES visits to the city and wanted to create something that could help women suffering from domestic violence and seeking temporary sleeping arrangements. They designed a hamper which contains a mattress, pillow, blanket and a ‘call for help’ device. Hampers can be borrowed overnight and returned for a free breakfast the next day.

We are delighted to report that the teams walked away with four awards on the day – including for Engineering, Innovation and Well-being. We are so proud of our future innovators for showcasing their problem solving skills, critical thinking and creativity!