A DECK of cards, a mountain of sticky tape, and a lot of ambition. That’s what students had from across the Western Port area when they took part in creating the tallest freestanding tower at an Inter Schools Activity Challenge (ISAC) held at BlueScope Steel in Hastings on 7 August. Organised by Somerville Tyabb Rotary Club, the event brought together 20 teams of year 5/6 students from 12 schools.
ISAC is designed to spark creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking, as well as a fun learning experience – which are all skills at the heart of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).
The students’ work was judged on style, teamwork, and construction.
While all towers were a standout, the winning team went to The Giraffes from Baxter Primary School after they built a 1.4-metre-tall tower, which also withstood a five-second wind breeze from a fan.
Each team received cash to support their school projects with all awards presented at a Baxter Primary School assembly on 8 August. The main award was presented by Rotary board members Frank Schiefler and Aled Roberts, while the best team name award was presented by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Kate Roper, which went to Shrek Taco Babies.
ISAC is part of Rotary’s commitment to youth engagement and skills development. BlueScope, which has hosted previous ISAC events, also sponsored the day. Somerville Tyabb Rotary Club president Ken Taylor said, “STEM learning is vital for our community’s future. Since 2018, Rotary has proudly run the ISAC challenge, and we are incredibly proud of what it has become. Our youth director, Aled Roberts, does fantastic work”.
First published in the Mornington News – 12 August 2025