Newcastle Waldorf students blast off to national STEM title, placing first in junior division for rockets

Darcy Crofts, Rowan Dale, Harry Miller and Patrick Scobie, all Year 8 students at the Hunter school, were accompanied by their teach Troy Bull to the national titles after securing victory in the regional division just two weeks before.

In the regional heats, students from primary, junior and senior categories competed to design, build and launch both bottle rockets and propeller-powered planes. Some categories also included the piloting of drones.

Crofts, Dale, Miller and Scobie claimed the top spot at the national event by achieving the furthest distance with their crafted rocket.

Mr Bull, who had a hand in mentoring the four budding-rocketeers, said their journey from back-yard launches to achievements on the national stage was simply “inspiring”

“It was a brilliant day with four amazing students [in Wollongong],” he said. “It was great to hear them speak of how proud they were, and how they made their rockets.”

As well as taking out the top spot in the STEM-organised competition, the four students were awarded $500 in prize money, which they revealed would be used for “future STEM opportunities within [the] school”. One of the four students, Patrick Scobie, said the team “wants other to have the same opportunity to experience and learn through science and technology activities”.

Mr Bull also spoke of an potential international competition, and the Newcastle Waldorf School’s involvement in a possible global event, and believes no matter how the four boys are involved, they “have the potential to soar to great heights”.