Learning takes flight with Gladstone drone competition
Click here for photos – Gladstone secondary schools drone competition
Click here for photos – Gladstone primary school drone competition
New tech has taken to the skies in Gladstone this week with the latest drones powered by microbits used by students in the annual inter-school drone competition.
The two-day competition, facilitated by the Toolooa State High School STEM squad, saw four secondary schools competing on Wednesday, followed by a primary school competition on Thursday involving four primary school teams.
Each school team was challenged to build, test, adapt and operate a quadcopter drone so it could be operated safely and complete a flight mission, developed by the STEM squad.
The annual two-day event was delivered by the QMEA Resources Skills Academy in partnership with ConocoPhillips, the downstream operator of Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG).
Chantale Lane, Stakeholder Relations Manager at ConocoPhillips said the competition was designed to give the students new skills and a chance to test their creativity.
“Teamwork was also really important as they needed to work together to solve problems as they built and operated their drones,” said Ms Lane.
“The Toolooa SHS STEM Squad did a fantastic job of creating drone challenges that involved a mix of logic, technology and innovation,” she said.
“ConocoPhillips the downstream operator of Australia Pacific LNG is proud to support this great event as we know how much schools in our region look forward to the friendly competition and it is a great opportunity to share how drones are being used in the energy sector”
The winner of the secondary school competition was: Calliope State High School and the primary school winner was: Star of the Sea.
Participating schools
Secondary Schools
Calliope State High School,
Toolooa State High School,
Chanel College
Clearview Christian College
Primary schools
Gladstone West State School
Clinton State School
Kin Kora State School
Star of the Sea School
Media Contact: Sara Hensley QMEA STEM Engagement Educator, 0421 468 264