Students put engineering skills to the test in MOTAT workshop
Posted on July 20, 2026
Year 13 Digital Technologies and Computer Science students at Macleans College recently put their creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test during the Invent-A-Machine Senior programme, delivered by the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
The hands-on challenge tasked students with designing and building a machine that could transport a marble from one side of the room to the other, while incorporating a lifting mechanism into their design.
Working in teams, students followed each stage of the engineering design process. They explored the challenge, developed ideas, built prototypes and tested their solutions. When designs did not work as planned, they refined their ideas, made improvements and tried again, gaining valuable experience through iteration.
The challenge encouraged students to think creatively while working collaboratively. They communicated effectively, shared responsibilities, negotiated design decisions and adapted to unexpected setbacks. These are valuable skills in software development, digital technologies and many other industries.
The session highlighted the value of learning through practical experience. It was encouraging to see students fully engaged as they applied their knowledge, collaborated with their peers and developed confidence in solving real-world challenges.
