Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)— There is nothing like a bit of friendly competition to encourage students to find joy in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths [STEM].

I very much enjoyed the opportunity to speak to students taking part in the annual University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Challenge on 6 March this year and watch them take part in a number of activities that extended their skills. Charlestown schools represented included Kotara High School, Whitebridge High School, Warners Bay High School, Hunter Sports High School, Cardiff High School, St Pius X High School Adamstown, and St Mary's Catholic College Gateshead.

The annual event is a day of lively competition for school students working on practical STEM challenges, which culminates in a bridge building and testing competition. I would like to acknowledge the work of the University of Newcastle in continuing to host this event for high school students across the Charlestown electorate and continue to foster a love of the sciences.

I am sure that activities like these are instrumental in encouraging Charlestown's next generation to study science and technology based fields in the future.

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