BMG 2019 Grammarian Issue 2

10 STUART CAMPBELL - WINNER OF A PREMIER’S VCE AWARD FOR HIS SCORE OF 50 IN SYSTEMS ENGINEERING Why did you choose to study Systems Engineering? I chose to study Systems Engineering because many of the previous subjects I have taken led on very well to it. The ability to build and create something as part of a VCE subject was also very enticing, allowing me to be both create as well as learn a new set of skills. What skills did you learn from other subjects that prepared you for Systems Engineering? Throughout my subject selection in Year 9/10 including Flight Technology 1/2/3 and Mechatronics I learned to use multiple CAD related programs and gained the knowledge required to get an understanding of the intricacies of the CAM processes available at the school. I also learnt to write in the form required for an engineering folio, adopting a voice in my writing that I previously rarely had to use. Good time management skills cannot be understated as they popped up in all of the folios throughout Systems Engineering and was instilled in us in previous classes. What did you enjoy most about Systems Engineering? The classes were all engaging and the ability to relate all the knowledge learnt both to a project of my own creation and the greater world around me was really encouraging and made it all tangible in a way many other subjects do not. Although it is common to learn equations about how things work, it is only when you see it in the everyday items around you do you appreciate the significance and the amount of thought that goes into even the simplest machines. Being able to learn about certain components and then pull apart something to understand and recognise components after just learning about them was very enjoyable and created a real passion for the subject. The group discussions and jokes were also great. What did you find challenging about Systems Engineering? Building to a schedule whilst maintaining scope for the folios was very challenging. A year is a lot shorter than I thought and I quickly realised my grand plans for a massive project were going to need to be paired with an equally comprehensive folio (or cutting it down to something more manageable). Finding the time for the amount of out of school work was challenging but an interest in the subject was able to counteract this. What advice would you give to students beginning to study Systems Engineering? Enjoy it: it has more practical classes than any other subject I’ve taken. The joy that the whole class feels when anybody gets something small to work is unequalled in any other subject so put effort into it. It ties over to many other subjects too. Don’t do too big a folio: you can write just as much on something small as you can on something large and it will be more in depth. Make use of the teachers: they know a lot and they’re always available... they only had to deal with me for about 200 lunchtimes, and the occasional recess break, for 3 years. What inspired your Systems Engineering project? Personally, I really enjoyed the flight subjects, found them really interestingandbecauseof them I hadanunderstanding of my project before I undertook it, it really helped with the background information and troubleshooting. Drones had also been a hot topic of discussion in the news and within the greater community and I thought the skills from it would tie in nicely with further projects. What skills do you think you acquired throughout your Systems Engineering project(s)? Adopting a technical mindset (troubleshooting, simplifying problems, writing practicals, designing efficiently, principles of design, and CAD/CAM processes).