Electrotechnology School Student Awards Winners 2009

The national winners of the Electrotechnology School Student Awards were presented by the NECA in Melbourne on 25 November 2009

Six winners in two categories each received a cash prize and industry recognition for their outstanding electrotechnology projects completed during the year.

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s awards, who amazed the judges with the skill and ingenuity they demonstrated in their projects:

Innovation Awards

Winner: Mark Pagnan, Year 10, Colo High School, North Richmond NSW
Project: Wireless water trough monitoring system

Second place: Meghan Batcheldor, Year 12, Wagga Christian College, Wagga Wagga NSW
Project: Homemade solar cell

Equal third place: Keegan Palverino, Year 10, Pacific Lutheran College, Meridan Plains QLD
Project: Sorting blocks on an assembly line testing platform

Equal third place: Dominic Zielinski, Year 12, Catholic Regional College, Sydenham VIC
Project: Remote control amphibious vehicle

Industry Commitment Awards

Winner: Callum Stewart, Year 11, Girton Grammar School, Bendigo VIC

Second place: Adam Baxter, Year 10, Epping Boys High School, Eastwood NSW

About their projects

Winner, Mark Pagnan, built a wireless water trough monitor for use on his father’s farm

Living on a farm, first-place winner Mark Pagnan recognised a need for an automated water trough monitoring system, noting that if the traditional mechanical float system fails, many thousands of litres of water can be wasted. The year 10 student designed and built a wireless float switch control system with wireless warning capability. A microprocessor automatically shuts down the trough’s water valve when excessive water flow is detected via the electronic float switch. A warning signal is then sent to a hand held receiver. The system runs from a 12v deep cycle battery connected to a small 12v solar panel so that it can be used in remote locations.

Judges were particularly impressed by Mark’s ability to solve a real world problem in his regional environment. “The wireless water trough monitor is a very smart device driven by a simple need. The unit works very well and produces clear data. It could be marketed and commercially sold now and in our opinion is a clear winner,” Wes McKnight said.

Mark’s head science teacher, Christine Watson said, “Mark has always had a remarkable interest in and knowledge of electronics with the numerous devices he has built over the years demonstrating a talent far beyond his years. This award is very well deserved.”

Second place winner, Meghan Batcheldor, developed a solar cell in her own garage

Year 12 student Meghan Batcheldor has a deep concern for the environment and the consequences of using fossil fuels as our primary energy source. She has a particular interest in solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuels and built a solar cell to better understand the properties of this renewable energy source.

The judges commented on Meghan’s obvious passion for solar technology and were impressed by the level of knowledge she gained through completing the project.

Head of science at Wagga Christian College, Lee Weissel said, “Meghan has consistently worked hard to develop her skills and knowledge in this area. The solar cell project was a great success and we’re pleased to see her work acknowledged with this award.”

Equal third place winner, Keegan Palverino, has found a real talent for electrotechnology

Keegan Palverino has found a real talent through completing a six week project using his school’s new electrotechnology and mechatronics facilities. With no former experience using the technology or programming software, Keegan excelled in developing sensors as input devices to sort blocks on an assembly line testing platform using pneumatics. He exceeded the parameters of the basic project, establishing a series of input and output combinations in his own time and testing them at school.

Keegan’s teacher, Ian Learoyd was amazed by the results of his project. “Keegan has a true talent in this field and is very deserving of the award,” he said.

The judges also noted that Keegan had built a very clever control system that was well thought out. It proved a clear understanding of electricity and control systems and was well presented.

Equal third place winner, Dominic Zielinski, built a remote control amphibious vehicle

Dominic Zielinski, a year 12 student who shares third place with Keegan, built a remote controlled amphibious vehicle that operates as a car on land and a boat on water. The vehicle has three sets of radio controls – two to drive the vehicle on land and water and another to raise and lower the wheels by mechanical scissor lift.

Bruno Wisidagama, Dominic’s teacher said, “Dominic has developed a unique product in his amphibious vehicle. It’s great that his work on such a complex project has been recognised with this award.”

The judges added that the innovative land-water vehicle showed Dominic’s interest in electronics and they were impressed by some of the components he had developed especially for the project.

Industry Commitment Award winner, Callum Stewart, has a passion for renewable power technologies

Year 11 student Callum Stewart investigated a range of renewable power technologies and viable energy sources for a remotely located home, and completed a risk assessment of his school’s electrotechnology workplace before building his own DC power supply. The dual-rail power supply prototype has a variable voltage of 4.39v to 15v and is able to supply 1.2 Amps DC to attached devices. It has been constructed on a single-sided printed circuit board that is contained in a suitable case.

Callum’s teacher, Rod Smith, was impressed with the quality of Callum’s project and thought his work very worthy of a national award.

The judges were also impressed at the depth of Callum’s project and his passion for renewable power technologies.

Second place winner, Adam Baxter, is the first NSW year 10 student to study TVET electrotechnology

Adam Baxter has been determined to make a career in the electrotechnology industry and secure an apprenticeship with Energy Australia. The first student in year 10 to study electrotechnology in a TVET course, Hornsby TAFE presented Adam with this year’s outstanding student award. Adam instigated and participated in a range of experiences to help achieve his goal and has been rewarded with a recent offer of an apprenticeship with Energy Australia, among others.

Adam’s school career advisor, Elizabeth Baxter said, “Adam has displayed a real passion for working in the electrotechnology field. I have not seen another year 10 student as goal oriented about their career or who has engaged themselves in so many career related experiences to achieve his goal. He is an amazing young man.”