Science and Engineering Challenge

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Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) is a non-profit STEM outreach program in Australia that runs in schools. It aims to change how students see science and engineering by giving them hands-on experiences they wouldn’t usually get in class. The program encourages Year 10 students to consider science and engineering for their futures and to keep studying science and math in Years 11 and 12. It also includes Discovery Days and the S.M.A.R.T outreach program.

History
The SEC began at the University of Newcastle as an initiative from the faculties of Engineering, Built Environment, Science, and Information Technology. It started with information nights for students and parents in rural areas. The first SEC event took place on the Central Coast in 2000 during National Science Week. In 2001, events spread around Newcastle and other parts of NSW. In 2002, Challenge Days were held outside NSW for the first time in Canberra, followed by events in Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria. In 2005, state winners competed in the first National Final. By 2017, SEC offered many events: about 110 SMART events, 49 Discovery Days for primary students, and 99 Challenge Days for Year 9–10, with more than 50,000 participants. The program also involved about 2,100 teachers and 3,600 volunteers. Since 1998, more than half a million people have taken part in SEC activities.

Discovery Days
In 2005, Discovery Days were added for primary school students. They are similar to regular Challenge Days but feature simpler activities and shorter event times.

Programs
SEC runs several programs:
- Little Scientists: trains preschool teachers to include STEM in their lessons
- SMART: science shows and workshops for infants and primary-aged students
- Discovery Days: mini-challenge days for Years 5–6
- Build a Future Days: on-campus experiences for Year 7–8
- Challenge Days: the premier national STEM competition for Year 9–10
- Casual work and internships with the SEC team
- Teacher professional development: programs for teachers