WA students put their STEM skills to the test at Scitech Challenge Days

Students from 44 primary schools across Western Australia travelled to the Scitech Discovery Centre to put their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to the test as part of Scitech’s annual Challenge Days.

The interschool competition ran from 20 to 24 October and saw small groups of Year 5 and 6 students take on challenges in maths, astronomy, engineering and laboratory work.

Attracting schools from the Wheatbelt, Goldfields, Southwest, Midwest and Pilbara regions, as well as the Perth metro area, a total of 645 teachers and students took part.

Scitech Manager of Science Communication Angharad Thomas said Challenge Days were an opportunity for students to step out of the classroom and stretch their STEM muscles by engaging in hands on, teamwork-driven puzzles and activities.

“Each of the four challenges are designed to get students collaborating and using what they know, while also drawing on their critical thinking and creativity,” Ms Thomas said.

“The idea is to harness the skills that teachers foster every day, but encourage students to extend themselves and see what they’re capable of.”

The highest scoring team overall was South West Regional PEAC who travelled from as far as Margaret River and Manjimup.

Western Australia Department of Education Director of Teaching Quality and Innovation Lisa Reynolds, South West Regional PEAC students, South West PEAC Program Coordinator Marlene Blackwood and Scitech Science Communication Team Lead Melanie Vos.

South West PEAC Coordinator Marlene Blackwood said that despite the early start to travel to Perth, the students’ enthusiasm never wavered, and they embraced the day with energy and curiosity.

“Living in regional areas often means limited access to large-scale STEM experiences and resources that metropolitan students can more readily engage with,” Ms Blackwood said.

“The Scitech Challenge Day is not just about the competition, it’s about exposure, inspiration, and the chance to connect with real-world STEM pathways that may otherwise feel out of reach.

“When our students learned they had achieved the highest score of the week, their excitement was absolutely contagious.

“There was a genuine sense of accomplishment, not only in their teamwork and problem-solving, but in representing regional schools on such a big stage.

“For many, the experience reinforced that where you come from doesn’t limit what you can achieve, and that opportunities like this are vital for bridging the gap between regional and metropolitan education.”

Special guests from the Department of Education and Catholic Education Western Australia awarded the winning teams with certificates and prizes, adding to students’ sense of accomplishment and pride.

Holy Rosary Doubleview Primary School students undertake the Lab Challenge.

Holy Rosary School Doubleview teacher Sharni Silvestri said her students had a fantastic day.

“The engineering challenge was the standout experience,” Mrs Silvestri said.

“It was brilliantly structured to promote communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.

“The fact that team success hinged on planning and communication rather than just speed, knowledge, or academics made it such a valuable learning opportunity.

“It encouraged students to think strategically, listen to one another, and work cohesively as a team – real-world STEM skills in action.

“My students are still talking about it and sharing what they learned with others back at school.

“I left feeling inspired to bring some of these ideas back into my own classroom.”

Scitech’s Challenge Days are held each year, with the first Challenge Day event taking place in 2004.