Challenge no problem for team

Pupils from Stratford Primary School proved there was no problem they couldn't solve by bringing home gold from the regional EPro8 Challenge final.

The EPro8 Challenge is an engineering and problem solving race that requires pupils to create large scale structures and mechanisms using maths, logics and experimentation. This year was the first time the competition was run in Taranaki.

"We didn't know what to expect , we just did our best and we got first equal," says Amber Storer.

The local competition was held at Toko School and the Stratford Primary team tied for first place with teams from Toko and Ngaere schools in the year 5 and 6 competition. The winning teams all qualified to enter the grand finals held at Highlands Intermediate.

Aiden Hutterd says each of the team members quickly took on different roles during the competition.

"I drew up the plans, Amber was in charge of getting the right parts, and Kodie (Green) and Matthew (Wood) used the tools to put everything together."

The teams were given a booklet full of problems, each worth a set number of points, and had 2 hours to complete as many problems as possible.

"We had to decide which problems were best to do first and which ones to leave until last," says Kodie.

He says the team got a special mention from one of the judges.

"We were the first team ever to attempt one of the hardest challenges."

The team earned first place with an impressive final score of 370 points.

Matthew encourages pupils from other schools to give the competition a go.

"It was so much fun, I would love to enter in it again next year."