Innovative students win national electrical awards
23 November 2010
Innovative students win national electrical awards
Today, four young geniuses will be awarded the top national award for innovation and commitment to the electrical and electrotechnology industry for demonstrating outstanding design and manufacturing skills well beyond their years.
Three year 12 students were judged to have the best electronic skills and innovative solutions to everyday problems by peak industry body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA). One student was also awarded the coveted commitment to industry award for demonstrating passion and has displayed a real commitment to progressing in the exciting industry.
Daniel Messina from the Catholic Regional College in Sydenham, Victoria, won the first place in the innovation category for designing and manufacturing a bomb disposal robot. The robot had a functioning camera, colour and proximity detectors and was remote controlled from a laptop using blue-tooth technology.
National judge of the NECA Electrotechnology School Student Awards, Mr Alistair Dwyer from NHP, said the bomb disposal robot was an amazing feat of electronic design and imagination.
“In my years as a judge of the secondary school awards I can whole-heartedly say that Daniel’s design of the bomb disposal robot is the most impressive project I have seen,” Mr Dwyer said.
“His robot looks sturdy and operates well enough to enter the modern day battlefield. It is an outstanding robot and clearly shows how school students are applying knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world situations, however confronting.”
Wayne Rodrigues also from the Catholic Regional College in Sydenham, Victoria won second place for his computer controlled milling machine that was an impressive combination of mechanical, electrical and computer software engineering.
Miles Mazengarb from Rosny College in Rosny, Tasmania, won third place in the innovation category for designing and manufacturing a device that assists disabled golfers retrieve a ball without assistance.
The design involved a hand device that used simple protocols to control a robot to actually pick up a golf ball up. This significantly reduces the need for people with a disability to bend over and removes a part of the game that can cause problems for so many people.
Mark Heggie from Francis Greenway High School in Beresfield NSW won the award for showing a commitment to the industry and career planning that began in Year 8.
“Mark has displayed an interest in electrotechnology and has actively pursued quality work placements and participated in extra-curricular learning that has enabled him to develop quality skills,” Mr Dwyer said.
“From an early age he has shown an interest in electronics and electrical engineering and the choices he has made will definitely help him to make a successful career in the electrotechnology industry.”
NECA chief executive officer, Mr James Tinslay, said the future of the electrotechnology industry in Australia is in safe hands. The standard of the projects and the imaginative and innovative designs by school students is simply outstanding.
“Every year the standard of the students coming through improves, and every single year I am astounded by some of the incredible depth and breadth of knowledge displayed by students who submit projects in the innovation category,” Mr Tinslay said.
“This year we had everything from bomb disposal robots to applications designed to assist disabled golfers. There is an incredible show of imagination, electrical skill and awareness of the world around us. These students are quite simply brilliant and I hope they pursue a career in the industry.”
About the Awards:
The NECA Electrotechnology School Student Awards are designed to reward the commitment and passion of talented young individuals that are producing outstanding products and inventions that can potentially change the future of the industry and many people’s lives.
NECA acknowledges the ongoing support of our partner NHP Electrical Engineering Products Pty Ltd for this important award. NHP is proud to encourage talented students who are developing their skills in this specialised field.
-ENDS-
NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide. For further information go to http://www.neca.asn.au.
Media Enquiries:
Dominic Feenan Media and Communications Manager 02 9439 8523 / 0457 767 328