The Brainiacs and the ExSTEMinatorshave taken out the top honour on the final day of the latestSTEM Cupround, held at Griffith University.

After seven weeks of competition, the fourth year of the inter-school Science Technology Engineering and Maths tournament came to a close with the grand final in dramatic fashion – engineering and information communication technology challenges in which the Brainiacs from Clover Hill State School (Primary Division)and ExSTEMinators from Varsity College (Secondary Division) got the better of the other teams.

Primary Division winners the Brainiacs with Pro-Vice Chancellor (Science) Professor Andrew Smith.

The Griffith-run STEM Cup has seen 255 students in Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 from 31 South East Queensland schools compete in 87 teams across four different host locations, tackling tasks that included geography, environmental science, marine biology, engineering, botany and IT in return for points. The students competed in two divisions, Primary and Secondary.

Griffith Project Officer (STEM Outreach) Tui Adams said despite the familiar faces among private and state school competitors who have taken on STEM Cup in previous years, no two teams had won it in a row. But the one thing that was the same? The students’ passion for STEM.

Secondary Division winners the ExSTEMinators with Pro-Vice Chancellor (Science) Professor Andrew Smith.

“STEM Cup is all about engaging kids’ passion for STEM by utilising authentic scenarios, taking what they learn at school and putting it into real-life scenarios,” Adams said.

“After Year 10 STEM is not compulsory, so fuelling students’ passion for them to continue their STEM studies in Years 11 and 12 opens up more options for them to do it at university.

“And the teachers say they see the students more engaged in class and using the leadership skills they’ve learned while doing STEM Cup.”

The Brainiacs and ExSTEMinators hoisted the first place trophies after winning the Cup with 1700 and 1790 points respectively.