Sub Schools

Solar Car Challenge

It was good news all round for the students and staff of Brighton Secondary College when it was announced by the Department of Education, Employment and Training that Don Sheriden would be working with the school community on a special science/engineering project over the coming months.

Brighton Secondary College is one of just 30 Victorian Government schools that has been funded to enable the project to proceed.
Principal, Julie Podbury said, “The school community is privileged to have Don Sheriden come to us and show students some of the excitement of science on their own special project.”Government funding is provided to support practising scientists and engineers working over an extended period on projects with students, in their school setting. Brighton Secondary College has been given $3,000 to assist in its scientific project of Solar Car Challenge, following an excellent application forward by Jenny Vlahandreas and Helene Hiotis. Completion of the project will mean that students/teachers/parents will be able to build a solar car and enter the Solar Car Challenge. “We believe that having Don Sheriden working with students will increase their interest in science and science studies as they continue their schooling,” said Helene Hiotis, Project Officer.

The Scientists and Engineers in Schools project has been developed by the Science in Schools Strategy unit of the Department over the past two years. Don Sheriden, a retired engineer and lecturer at Monash University has a reputation as a highly regarded practitioner in his field.
Don Sheriden is eagerly looking forward to working with students, and thinks that it will be a career highlight. He has commenced work at the school in April and will spend two days per week until completion of project. When the project is completed, the school community will be invited to share in celebrating the students’ achievements in science.