Top Peninsula student has designs on success

Padua College Mornington graduate Justin Pollock is one of 87 design and technology students whose creations are on display at Melbourne Museum as part of Top Designs 2024.

“I have created a system that can change the ratio of torque and speed from an input to an output,” Justin said. “Running on an Arduino Uno, the transmission can change gears automatically using a servo motor depending on the measured revolutions per minute of the system. The motor speed can be manually controlled by the operator to simulate the different scenarios that the transmission can be used in.”

Justin’s entry, Automatic Transmission, comprises a DC electric motor, Arduino Uno, photo interrupter, rotary encoder, LiPo battery, digital servo motor, DC battery, breadboard, PLA plastic 3D printed components, 15 gauge wire, bearings, washers and bolts, metal axle and jumper cables. It and the other entries were chosen for display by a team of specialist educators from more than 1000 applications to showcase Victoria’s brightest VCE and VCE VET design and technology minds in a continuing partnership between the museum and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The museum said visitors to the display would be able to see “the inventive ways in which the students employ design to contribute to a more progressive world, with many of this year’s creations proposing ethically-focused solutions to ongoing social and environmental challenges”.

“Top Designs 2024 not only showcases the exceptional talents of some of Victoria's brightest students in design and technology, it also highlights the crucial role of education in fostering innovative thinking,” said Museums Victoria CEO and director Lynley Crosswell. “The collaboration with the VCAA underscores our commitment to nurturing the next generation of designers and our aim to instil a deep appreciation for the transformative power of good design and its positive impact on our world.”

Top Designs 2024 is open until Sunday, July 14, at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton. Tickets are on sale at the museum and online at www.museumsvictoria.com.au