Robogals Science Challenge is underway
The Robogals Science Challenge is a nationwide science competition for girls, enabling them to learn a bit more about science and engineering. By conducting projects or experiments with a friend, parent or another mentor, girls are encouraged to pursue a interest in science.
Entries to the competition are submitted online in the form of videos, photos and writing, in three age categories. The competition spans five months, culminating in an awards ceremony where the top 12 groups or individuals will be invited, and the winners announced.
The Challenge consists of two parts: the Minor Challenges and the Major Challenge.
The Minor Challenges make up the initial part of the contest, where participants can begin to learn about different science and engineering disciplines, as well as having the option of participating in mini experiments. Participants are encouraged to partake in as many Minor Challenges as possible to help build up their skills for the final challenge.
The Major Challenge is when participants can create their own experiment and produce a video to exhibit their findings.
Although the Challenge is underway there’s still time to enter. The details are all on the Robogals Science Challenge website which seems pretty comprehensive; although it’s overtly written by someone in Victoria and may require translation for those of the rest of us whose schooling does not start with ‘Prep’.
Just as an example the Minor Challenge for physics underway at the moment ranges from the youngest students making a Newtons Cradle out of golf balls to demonstrate conservation of energy and momentum through to the senior students making matchstick rockets.