The model solar boat challenge – a STEM project that engages students in learning

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education projects can provide students at all levels with engaging and motivating ways to learn and apply skills and knowledge from each discipline in an integrated manner. Such learning is much more holistic and follows a more natural learning mode in that is not only links to school learning, but also allows students to learn in areas that are personally meaningful to them. This paper reports on an on-going program where teachers and their students have taken on the model solar vehicle challenge in Victoria. The challenge results in students designing, building, testing, modifying and racing model solar boats, with the final aspect of the challenge being a competition against other eager young designers. A significant aspect of the competition is in the opportunity of the young designers to communicate with other students and present their developing knowledge and skills in a friendly, supportive environment. The skills and knowledge involved will be described and data from teacher interviews will be presented to support the place of such activities in the curriculum.