Year 10 students, Lydia and Olive recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the JCU Engineering Futures Program, a 5-day camp held at James Cook University in Townsville.
Olive and Lydia recap their experience:
The JCU Engineering Futures Program was an amazing chance to connect with other passionate students from across Queensland who share our interest in engineering.
The program wasn't just about meeting like-minded peers; we also had the privilege of working alongside inspiring JCU engineers, lecturers, and students from various engineering disciplines – Civil, Chemical, Structural, Sustainable, and Environmental. Collaborating with these experts gave us a real taste of the diverse fields within engineering.
We tackled fun and challenging projects that pushed us to think creatively and work collaboratively to find solutions. Some highlights included designing a car crash zone to minimise impact, building a sturdy stadium stand to ensure spectator safety in case of a crash, and creating a crumple zone for a car, similar to airbags, to absorb energy and protect passengers.
The program wasn't all work and no play. JCU found a perfect balance, incorporating afternoon sports activities and movie nights for some well-deserved downtime. We also had the unique opportunity to meet representatives from leading Queensland and Australian engineering companies. These professionals offered valuable insights into the world of engineering careers, and some even presented exciting apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities within their companies.
We graduated from the program adorned in ceremonial hats and robes, celebrating our achievements with pride. Notably, Lydia was one of just 15 participants to receive a $2,000 grant, awarded to those who pursue an engineering course at JCU. This grant further enhances our direct entry into JCU, marking an exciting step forward in our engineering journey.
The JCU Engineering Futures Program wasn't just about engineering concepts; it was an invaluable learning experience. We honed our teamwork skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, all while exploring creative solutions beyond the expected. Most importantly, the program gave us a clear picture of what a fulfilling career in engineering could look like. We left JCU motivated and excited to pursue our engineering aspirations!
Olive and Lydia
Year 10