BAE Systems Supersonic Challenge | F1® Melbourne | Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023

The BAE Systems challenge merged F1® racing with flying!

BAE Systems Australia Supersonic Challenge encouraged primary and secondary school students to use their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and maths to solve a set problem while collaborating in a team. The top 3 schools were asked to use an entrepreneurship approach to communicate their solution to a panel of judges at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.

STEM Hub received an overwhelming number of applications from schools all over Victoria. The top 3 Primary Schools were, Benton Junior College; St Kevin's College; and The Basin Primary School, while the top 3 High Schools were, Glen Waverley Secondary College; St Monica's College Epping; and Sunbury Downs College.

Teams did an amazing job to battle track noises while standing on a stage in front of their peers and judges. The judges included Rachel Ong (Aerospace Engineer, BAE Systems); Sean Moore (BAE Systems); Jonty Dear (Graduate Mechatronics Engineer, BAE Systems); Flight Lieutenant Jake Dell-O'Sullivan (Royal Australian Air Force Drone Racing Team); and Sapper Alex Brown (Australian Army Drone Racing Team).

Congratulations to St. Kevin's College on their win of the Primary School division, and to team Plugin Peregrines from Glen Waverley Secondary College for their win of the Secondary School Division. The all girl team blew the judges away with their technical knowledge, stage presence, and ability to answer tough questions under pressure.

We'd like to thank Mark Robinson - their superstar teacher - who has not only inspired the entire school to include STEM Hub's annual STEM Challenge into their curriculum, but has increased the male to female participation ratio in the Challenge from 4:1 to 1:1.

Without the team from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation none of this would be possible; thank you Jasmine and Ruby!

If your school missed out on this challenge, watch this space! STEM Hub, and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation are working on another awesome event ready for the 2024 F1 Australian Grand Prix.

Readers are also encouraged to go to F1 Australian Grand Prix for future updates of events.

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