Ripley Valley Students Soar to Victory in Premier’s Coding Challenge with Stellar STEM Game

Two of our talented students from Ripley Valley State Secondary College, Saachi Sen and Ashman Batth, have upheld the winning streak of the prestigious 2024 Premier's Coding Challenge, emerging as one of just 10 winning teams from across Queensland. Their creation, Cosmic Dash, a 2D space adventure game designed to make learning about space both exciting and educational, has not only earned them rewards but also highlighted the growing impact of girls in the traditionally male-dominated field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Our winning students have obtained a certificate from Queensland Government on their achievement and a robot kit. They have participated in UQ walk through of the state-of-the-art Mechatronics lab of Robots and drones.

The Premier's Coding Challenge is an annual competition that invites Queensland students from Years 3 to 10 to develop innovative digital solutions to real-world challenges. With this year’s theme, #digitalinnovationqld, students were encouraged to create digital tools that could improve various aspects of their school environments—ranging from enhancing learning experiences to promoting student well-being, sustainability, and safety. This year’s 2024 competition attracted over 450 entries, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of students across the state. Our students have entered with 8 high quality entries creating digital solutions of the industry standard with majority of them getting highly commendable appreciation. However, Saachi and Ashman stood out as winners in the open category for Years 7–8 with their innovative, interactive approach to space education. Both of our year 7 girls gamified complex STEM concepts, transforming the vastness of space into an exciting adventure for young learners. Their game, Cosmic Dash, invites players to journey through the cosmos, solving puzzles and challenges that reinforce key astronomical principles, all while enjoying an engaging and dynamic gaming experience.

The judges were particularly impressed with the game’s accessibility, design, and educational value. They noted how the game’s intuitive instructions made it easy for players to grasp difficult concepts, while its captivating gameplay ensured that learning never became a chore. The accompanying video was equally impressive, providing an entertaining and insightful look at how the game works and how it can enhance students' understanding of space. The pair’s ability to combine entertainment with education was a standout feature, with the judges recognising their creativity in using gaming as a medium to make learning both fun and effective. Their win is not just a personal achievement but a victory for our girls in Digital Technologies. As the winners of one of the most competitive categories in the state, these two young innovators are paving the way for future generations of girls to follow in their footsteps and break barriers in STEM. Their achievement is a proud moment for Ripley Valley State Secondary College contributing to our winning streak of Premier Coding Challenge since 2021.

Senior Visual Art Excursion 

Last week, our senior Visual Art General and Applied students embarked on an exciting excursion to South Bank, where they had the opportunity to engage with the inspiring collections and exhibits at the Queensland Museum. Focusing on animal species, the students began preparations for their upcoming 2025 assessment. They spent time documenting fascinating species from the museum's taxidermy collection through detailed sketches and research. The experience was made even more memorable when they encountered a few live animals along the way!

The students also visited the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art, where they delved into a variety of contemporary artworks. They explored the materials, techniques, and display choices of modern artists, gaining valuable insight into both portraiture and other innovative art forms. This excursion not only expanded their knowledge but also deepened their appreciation for the diverse ways in which art can be created and displayed.

Breaking News, Zombies Invade Ripley Valley

Year 9 Media students turned into Zombies for a day and the overtook school while participating in a Special Effects Makeup workshop. The workshop saw them create a range of looks including bruises, open wounds, bite marks, bullet wounds and full zombie faces. It was led by Taylor Manic, an industry professional, who has worked on a range of film sets along with creating looks for Movie World’s Fright Nights. After creating their looks, students started filming their Zombie films using the school as the backdrop. We can’t wait to see the final projects at the end of this term.

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