STEM Racing Club at Fieldays
For many, the annual New Zealand Fieldays brings to mind tractors, livestock, and farmers in straw hats. For the College STEM Racing Club, this massive event was a prime opportunity to showcase the STEM programme to interested students and parents alike. Over the course of a week, a team of four club members and Saint Kentigern's admissions staff travelled down to Hamilton to represent the school at this industry-defining event, bridging the student-led innovation Saint Kentigern drives with New Zealand's real-world systems and people.
The STEM Racing Club is dedicated to blending the application of design, technology, engineering, and mathematics into one year-long team project. Throughout the year, our members collaboratively design, test, and race advanced miniature vehicles, investigating and perfecting complex physics and aerodynamic principles in the process. Attending Fieldays allowed us to step away from the rigours design process and into a passionate social environment where businesses showcased cutting-edge technology with practical application.
The team's primary goal during the week-long exhibition was to operate a booth advertising the College and highlighting the College's diverse STEM initiatives. By displaying racing models, 3D-printed components, and design portfolios, the team gave thousands of interested attendees a tangible look into the high-level educational opportunities the school offers. It was immensely rewarding to engage with the public, explaining the mechanics behind the designs, the rigorous testing that governs the vehicles' performance, and the school whose support brought the team to this advanced programme.
Beyond serving as ambassadors for the College, Fieldays provided the team with a valuable networking platform. Members had the privilege of getting to know a diverse range of professionals, from agricultural engineers utilising drone technology to software developers creating sustainable cattle management automation. These interactions were highly insightful, illustrating how the critical thinking and engineering skills developed in the club translate into forward-thinking careers, and offering technical insight and perspective on future pathways.
Ultimately, the expedition to Fieldays was a resounding success, allowing the team to promote Saint Kentigern to a broad, diverse audience while giving members a once-in-a-lifetime experience of educational and social growth. The team returned to the classroom with a deeper appreciation for the role of technology in New Zealand's industries, and with stronger connections within the group. For any students interested in engineering, teamwork, and hands-on innovation, the STEM Racing Club is always looking for new minds to join the track.
