Peel primary school takes top spot at State science competition with sights set for national challenge

Students from a regional primary school have developed the future of firefighting technology, winning the top spot at a State science competition.

Students from Waroona’s St Joseph’s School managed to sweep the competition at the WA Kids in Space Showcase last week, earning them a place in the national competition in Adelaide in November.

The competition, hosted by the Andy Thomas Space Foundation and Makers Empire, saw primary students engage in science, technology, engineering and maths tasks to create solutions to real world challenges with space technology and 3D printing.

The students showed off their designs at Mercy College in Perth, against 20 other participating projects, coming out on top with their prototype to help regional firefighters.

Student scientists Harrison Cowell, Ella Sutton, Joe Hodgeson, Evie Pisconeri and Chloe Bartle said they wanted to make something helpful to the community.

Inspired to help the firefighters who battled the bushfire which ripped though Nanga Brook in March, the group wanted a way for firefighters to use private water sources instead of public sources.

The students worked with the Waroona Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services to develop their prototype for the Fire Emergency Kit 5.0 — a small box which would sit outside properties along regional roads.

The box would have satellite imaging, tracking data of available water sources and contain hose connectors and house keys secured inside of a box with a thermal lining.

Their win earned the students flights to Adelaide to compete against the champion schools of other States as well as a visit to the Australian Space Discovery Centre.

Both Evie and Chloe said they were surprised to have won the competition, though they were confident with the quality of their design.

Joe said the group was “ecstatic” when they learnt they were going to Adelaide.

“It’s cool that this little school in Waroona gets to represent all 2.5 million people in WA,” Harrison said.

“I feel over the moon.”

STEM teacher Shari Silvestri said she felt both pride and joy seeing her students succeed.

“The students were involved in every aspect of the project, from initial brainstorming to final presentation,” she said.

“They demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving skills and a commitment to helping their community.

“Their hard work and creativity has paid off, and I’m excited for them to take this next step and compete at the national level, representing our school and community.”