Last week, Team SALACIA competed in the SUBS in Schools Technology Challenge. Our task was to build a fully- functional, remote-controlled submarine, as well as marketing a brand, creating a portfolio and trade display, and seeking sponsorship from professional companies.

The competition is purely student-run and embodies a variety of skills that cannot be taught within a classroom. The first day of judging was the sea trial. The submarine had to manoeuvre through a course set up in a pool with the ability to dive, surface and turn efficiently. The second day of judging was at the Royal Adelaide Show. Our team was set up at our trade display and, throughout the day, had judging for different categories: verbal presentation, an eight minute presentation outlining our journey and learning outcomes; marketing, judging our trade display and overall marketing of our brand; engineering CAD, the 3D printed parts; engineering manufacturing, the overall building of the submarine.

We came home in first place and have now been invited to compete at the National Finals in Perth in late November. The competition was a great learning experience and has opened up opportunities down the STEM pathway. We thoroughly enjoyed this project and look forward to representing Saints Girls interstate.

Amy C
Year 10 student