The challenge is recognised, both at home and abroad, as an innovative way of raising young people’s awareness of the career opportunities in science and engineering.

In 2003 the challenge was awarded The Sir William Hudson Award for Engineering Excellence and it has since been recognised by the International Institute of Physics based in London.

Wingham High School has secured a prestigious prize indeed.

“This year’s regional Challenge and Discovery Days was a fantastic event. It was great to get feedback from volunteers that our students were enthusiastic and very focused on their tasks,” regional chair of the Mid Coast Challenge coordinating committee, John Walton said.

The day started at 8am with volunteers from the local Rotary clubs helping the University of Newcastle staff to set up for the day.

By 9am everything was ready for the students to arrive.

After the morning session Great Lakes campus Forster was leading with Taree High School in second and Wingham High School in third.

John Walton on behalf of the Mid Coast Challenge Committee wishes to thank all those involved in the challenge, in particular the University of Newcastle, the Rotary Clubs of Forster on Wallis, Great Lakes, Tuncurry Forster, Taree, Taree on Manning,Taree North, Old Bar, Wingham and Gloucester the Department of Education and Training, and Engineers Australia Heather and Gordon Chergwin,and Major sponsor’s MidCoast Water,Taree Wingham Race Club and AGL Gloucester for without their sponsorship and support this challenge would not take place.