An article from Jo Kwok OAM, Brighton Rotary
Massive congratulations to Auburn High School who have achieved First place in The National Science and Engineering Challenge for 2026 which held last month at Old Parliament House in Canberra.
The students were one of eight teams from around the country who competed against:
NSW: Ravenswood School for Girls
WA: Hale School
TAS: Launceston Christian School
NT: St Phillip’s College & Darwin High School (combined team)
SA: Urrbrae Agricultural High School
QLD: Fraser Coast Anglican College
WILDCARD: Emmaus Christian School (last year’s winners)
Not only did they win their heat at Deakin University, Burwood, earlier this year, taking out First Place in the Victorian state finals to finish in the Top 8 schools in Australia, they are now the Australian champions for 2026! To quote to Genaaron Diamente, the lead teacher STEM Coordinator, Auburn High School on the phone on the 10-hour bus ride back to Melbourne (with the excited kid’s voices in the background): “the students were just thrilled with the result! In 2025, they had come 6th and were just hoping that they could do one better with a 5th placing, so first was beyond all expectations”!
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) outreach program presented by the University of Newcastle in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities, and sponsors. Participation last year reached almost 25,000 students from more than 850 schools around Australia. With support from organisations local to each region, the challenge has been a huge success. Students in the local competitions have exhibited great enthusiasm and determination to win in activities ranging from designing an earthquake-proof tower to mastering the science behind indigenous fish traps.
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In District 9800, the 2026 program has been proudly supported by Deakin University, Burwood with a 2-day event, and Monash Clayton University with a single day event to pilot. It has provided local Year 9 and 10 students with the chance to take part in fun and practical activities, aimed at igniting their interest in STEM. The Challenge aims to open their minds to the range of career opportunities and thus select the appropriate subjects in Years 11 and 12 to provide an easier path to work in the critical areas of STEM. It challenge opens up their minds to the wide range of career possibilities that they may not have considered before taking part in the challenge.
This year, in a this joint project led by the Rotary Club of Brighton and in conjunction with the Rotary Clubs of Balwyn & Brighton North and supported by a Rotary District 9800 Foundation, students from 22 local high schools across Deakin Burwood and Monash University took part in the Challenge. This is the third year that this event has been run in District 9800 with the awesome support of Rotarians and inter-generational volunteers, including members from Engineers Australia, sponsorships from Boeing and Monash and Deakin Universities and student ambassadors. Rotarians from districts 9800 and 9815 also provided invaluable support to the success of this event.
Thanks to all the volunteers and supporters, Rotary inspired these young people to be part of Australia's next generation of STEM talent. This initiative is planned to expand in 2027 with more schools and more event days to include Deakin Burwood, Monash Clayton and RMIT. We have been lucky to be supported once again with a Rotary District 9800 Foundation matching grant. We encourage other Rotary Clubs to get involved and support this exciting initiative in 2027. Please reach out to the organisers on youth@brightonrotary.com.au so you don't miss out on the opportunity to engage with your local high schools and experience an opportunity for hands on volunteering.