Regional students gathered in Young for the Science and Engineering Challenge.

The challenge is now a nationwide Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach programme presented by the University of Newcastle in partnership with local communities, Rotary, universities and private sponsors.

Since 2010 Young Rotary has organised the South West Slopes Challenge day.

Local Rotary spokesman Frank Lincoln said the day is normally limited to eight schools with a maximum of 32 students per school.

"However, due to unusual circumstances, Boorowa Central, Cowra High, Henry Lawson High, West Wyalong High, Temora High, Cootamundra High, Murrumburrah  High, Young High, Hennessy Catholic College, Young,  Sacred Heart, Cootamundra, St. Stanislaus, Bathurst all made an appearance," he said. 

Mr Lincoln said Australia has a chronic shortage of engineers.

"Australia’s demand for engineers far exceeds its supply of graduates," he said. 

"The country annually imports more than double the number of graduates from Australian Universities and has done so for more than a decade. That is why this challenge was introduced because, through the challenge, students experience aspects of science and engineering which they would not usually see in the school environment."

Young High School Science student Lucas Edwards said he learned valuable lessons from the day.

"It was a good day to show off practical skills in science and learn new ones," he said.

Young High School Science teacher Phillip Dodd said the day presents students with opportunities they might not get in the classroom.

"The day was a great opportunity for students to see other students working on engineering activities," he said.

Fellow High School Science student Georgia Bennett-Brown said she enjoyed the practical learning environment of the day.

"I think it's good to be hands on and interactive with other schools, that's what I liked about the day," she said.