This year’s design challenge aimed to push the boundaries of students' skills and abilities. While previous challenges focused on speed, the Cableway Challenge emphasized control. Students were presented with a scenario set in a future world where populations were forced into mountainous terrains, relying on aerial transport to meet various needs. With this context, participants were divided into three specialized categories. Despite the technical demands of the challenge, students rose to the occasion, producing exceptional and innovative solutions. This year's challenge proved to be the most successful yet, showcasing the remarkable creativity and problem-solving skills of the students.

Mr. Micah Donnoli, Head of Design

Student Reflections

Every year, the design department at Elsa High School organises a unique STEAM challenge for Grades 6-10. This year, from Monday 16 - Wednesday 18 December, Mr. Donnoli and Mr. November prepared a cable-car-themed challenge for us. We were placed in groups of 5-6 people and designed a gondola to achieve one of three objectives: rescue, tourism, construction. This was one of the most technical and difficult design challenges I have participated in. 

We used an Arduino board for electrical tasks, motors and controllers for moving our LEGO Technic chassis, along with mixed materials for branding and aesthetics. 

Throughout these challenges, we learned how to logically solve problems, collaborate with different people, and acknowledge the importance of the perspectives that each person provides. This year, there was much less instruction provided, which prompted students to be the ones asking for help and to think critically.

Although the event was challenging at times, it was very enjoyable, and everyone learned something--regardless of their contribution.

Ayla Grade 9

This year we were challenged to build gondolas, based on one of three categories: Rescue, Tourism or Construction. My team and I were part of the Tourism team, and we named our gondola the Cloud Cruiser. It imitated the design of the Peak Tram, as a more effective and modern mode of transportation which still embodied Hong Kong’s traditional roots. We faced our biggest hurdle with our motor, which was faulty to work in its initial stages. With some help from the teachers, my team and I were able to fix it. All in all, it was an exciting experience, which geared us up for the end of term.

Trisha, Grade 10