Meriden’s Year 11 Engineering students took advantage of the ongoing construction on the Senior School campus, conducting a site visit to see firsthand how engineering principles are applied in a real-world setting.
The site is where Meriden’s Design and Creative Arts (DaCA) building is being constructed. It is on track for completion by 2025 and will comprise inspiring and dynamic spaces for students studying Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Engineering and Hospitality.
Buildcorp Project Manager, Mr Nick Zambounis, and Site Engineer, Ms Koleena Ng, met the girls and provided them with a comprehensive safety briefing, and equipped the students with hard hats and high-visibility vests to explore the construction site.
The girls got to see the behind-the-scenes processes involved in constructing this cutting-edge facility and how engineering concepts translate into physical structures. They observed various stages of construction, from foundational work in the basement levels to the installation of structural elements on the rooftop. They learned about advanced technologies, such as high tensile steel reinforcement and how modern concrete is poured and cured.
The girls also learned about the importance of teamwork and communication in large-scale projects, and that workplace health and safety is paramount.
During the question and answer session, the girls heard about different career paths in engineering and construction, and found out more about Ms Ng’s experience as a female in engineering.
The visit to the DaCA building construction site was an eye-opening experience for the students, providing the girls with practical knowledge and a deeper appreciation for the engineering profession.
Meriden thanks the Buildcorp team for this unique opportunity and Ms Ng for sharing her insight and showing Meriden girls that engineering is a career where women can thrive.
STEM at Meriden
Meriden has a rich history of advocating for women in STEM. Meriden was one of the first all-girls schools to offer Engineering Studies in the HSC and currently offers engineering-based courses from Year 8 through to Year 12.
Meriden has an established STEM program that offers girls opportunities to pursue interests and skills in engineering, robotics, electronic textiles, aerodynamics and STEM interest projects. The program involves both curriculum and non-curriculum-based activities and has resulted in years of strong results in HSC Engineering Studies.
Meriden also fosters student engagement in STEM through partnerships with tertiary institutions and industry partners. Through these partnerships, students are given the opportunity to see STEM problem solving at work in commercial and non-profit projects.
