Expanding Educational Horizons for Teens: The TrackSAFE Education High Schools STEM Competition

In 2017 the TrackSAFE Foundation (TrackSAFE) issued a challenge to young people to use design thinking to create an innovative solution to make pedestrian level crossings safer using science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) principles. Year 7 to 10 students (aged 12 to 16) from across Australia entered the inaugural TrackSAFE Education Rail Safety Competition for High Schools. This was an opportunity for students to expand their horizons through developing their research skills, and designing an original mechanical or electronic device with the potential to make a real difference to people’s safety, for a genuine purpose beyond their classroom walls.