The students were from an academically talented class that had been hand-picked for the school’s participation in the trial science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) program. 

Technology head teacher Matt Scott said the school was one of three schools in NSW, 10 in Australia and was the only regional NSW school taking part in the program.

He said the ultimate goal was to encourage students to study at least one of the STEM subjects at school or university.

“It’s to address shortages in the STEM areas such as in engineering, science, research science, even a fitter and machinist or a builder can use the skills,” Mr Scott said.

“These guys had to apply to be part of the course that we run, it’s a 10 week program.”

He said once the prototype was designed and tested the 27 students would redesign their dragsters to travel faster or travel a predicted distance.

“When it works it will be published nationally on the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority website,” Mr Scott said.

Foundation professor of engineering at Charles Sturt University Euan Lindsay is a partner in the project.

He said engineering would start at the Bathurst campus next year and he wanted to maintain an involvement with schools and reach out to those interested in engineering positions.

He said the mousetrap dragster was a good example of what he wanted to do.

He said because they were simple and physical to build they had appeal for students but required thought about how and where to position items and what materials to use to maximise the performance of the dragster and incorporate all four STEM subjects in one project.