Curtin University Dubai engineering students have delivered a hands-on STEM workshop at GEMS Modern Academy as part of the University’s Curtin Comes To You schools outreach initiative, which aims to introduce secondary students to applied learning in science and engineering.
Undergraduate students from the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering led a Build-It Challenge in which school participants were tasked with designing and constructing a hydraulic drawbridge within a one-hour timeframe. Teams were provided with materials and broad guidelines, with the design process left entirely to their discretion.
Completed structures were assessed on criteria including design approach, structural stability, measurements, and overall functionality. Throughout the session, Curtin Dubai students supported the teams by clarifying concepts, facilitating problem-solving and encouraging collaborative approaches to meeting the task requirements.
The workshop provided school students with an opportunity to apply foundational principles in physics and engineering to a practical challenge, while also developing teamwork and critical thinking skills. The activity also offered Curtin Dubai students the chance to share their knowledge in a real-world setting and contribute to STEM engagement within the school community.
The University’s Curtin Comes To You program delivers workshops across the UAE designed to strengthen early exposure to STEM disciplines and highlight pathways into engineering and related fields.
Schools interested in hosting a session may contact outreach@curtindubai.ac.ae.
Written by Rifa Anwar, Class of 2026
