Almost 1300 Year 5 and 6 students from across the Manning Great Lakes took part in a series of 'discovery days' to put their science skills and engineering nous to the test.

With aptly titled activities including 'Max Power', 'Mars Buggy', 'Earthquake' and 'Get Over It', there was something for everyone.

The first day saw four teams from Holy Name Primary School, Forster, Tuncurry Public School and Taree Christian College take part.

The Christian College's team three edged out fellow school-mates in team one by 13 points to win.

On the second day, Tinonee Public School amassed an astonishing 1219.80 points.

This would be the highest total from any school across the week.

Other schools involved in the day were Taree West, Bulahdelah, Forster, Krambach, Old Bar, Coolongolook, Elands and Mount George.

Gloucester Public School team three finished more than 300 points clear of the second place combined effort from Moorland Public School, Herons Creek Public School and Johns River Public School on day three.

Old Bar Public School also was involved on this day.

Combined efforts paid off again, this time for Barrington, Stratford and Lansdowne public schools on day four.

The team bested two Pacific Palms teams, Wingham and a combined Wingham-Upper Lansdowne team to win the day with 1064.60 points.

Hallidays Point Public School team one finished on top on day five.

Its 1068.03 points was enough to beat the combined St Joseph's Primary School Taree-Gloucester team two by 70 points.

Chatham Public School, Harrington Public School and Taree Public School students also put in a great effort on the day.

Cundletown Public School, Nabiac Public School and Manning Valley Anglican College students closed out the week on day six.

It was Cundletown's team three that got the chocolates, 51 points clear of Nabiac's team two.

Organisers thanked dozens of volunteers from local high schools for their assistance across the week.

Earlier this month, 230 Year 10 students from across the region took part in a challenge day.

A combined team from Taree Christian College and Great Lakes College, Tuncurry campus won with 1110.21 points.

Closely behind was Taree High School with 1056.30 points.

Wingham High School, St Clare's High School, Great Lakes College, Forster campus, Manning Valley Anglican College and Chatham High School also sent teams for the day.

Special mention went to the Taree North, Dungog, Gloucester, Wingham, Taree, Forster, Old Bar Beach, Taree on Manning, Great Lakes and Tuncurry Forster Rotary clubs for help in all activities and providing the barbecue.

The challenge was founded by the University of Newcastle in 2000 and aims to address the skill shortage in science and engineering by inspiring students to study mathematics, physics and chemistry at high school.

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