2 September 2004

Its not Monaco or Melbourne and there is no roar of the engine or smell of high-octane fuel to ignite the senses.

L_R Grade 5 to 7 Moil primary school students Marion Caraher, David Grimes and Tom Pisel

However, the contest will be fiercely alive during one of the more unusual events being held at Charles Darwin University tomorrow during EngQuest - a competition held as part of Engineers Australia’s 2004 Engineering Week.

More than 100 people will be cheering on a hotly contested race featuring miniature vehicles powered by innovative energy alternatives that have been designed by Darwin primary school students.

“While it's light years away from Formula One, the design ingenuity and desire to win is just as passionate,” Bronwyn Russell, Engineers Australia – Northern Division Director, said.

Students from Moil Primary and Manunda Terrace have entered in the competition that encourages them to consider the role of engineers in the transformation and control of energy.

“The conservation of energy is an important part of caring for the environment and engineers are one group of professionals who are committed to solving this environmental problem,” Ms Russell explained

“To enter the competition, the vehicle must be made of at least two materials and travel in a straight line for at least one metre. The model is to be no more than 20 centimetres long, 10 centimetres wide and 15 centimetres high.

“Some entries will use only the motion resulting from the drive of a mouse trap and wheels made out of CDs. Others will harness air propulsion to move their vehicles.”

EngQuest seeks to encourage primary and secondary students’ interest in Engineering, Science and Technology through innovation and entrepreneurship.

“This is the first year that EngQuest competition has been extended beyond Victoria to now include the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.”