BDC Horizon Online: Building Beyond The Screen
By Craig Verbruggen & Mark Norberry, BDC Horizon Online
At BDC Horizon Online, there are moments where you pause and realise something deeper is happening.
Recently, I found myself watching through a computer screen, dialled into a Zoom call, reaching out to a rural farm in New South Wales. On the other end was one of our BDC Horizon Online students, walking us through their crane design, built, tested and refined as part of Mr Norberry’s Engineering practical.
What struck me was not just the quality of the final build. It was the thinking behind it. The way the student explained their decisions, the adjustments they made when things did not work, and the quiet confidence that came from actually understanding what they had created.
Sitting there, watching this unfold from a distance, it did not feel like online learning at all. It felt real. It felt connected. It was one of those moments that reminds you why this kind of work matters.
Mr Mark Norberry, Digital Learning and Experience Designer, explained the project in more detail.
“Our Year 11 Engineering Studies students recently took on the challenge of designing and constructing a working crane prototype powered by a 3V electric motor, as part of their first assessment task.
Working within strict design constraints, including size limitations and the use of hand tools and 3D printers, students applied their understanding of materials, forces and mechanical systems to produce innovative and functional designs.
The task required not only the construction of the device, but also a detailed engineering report analysing performance, testing methods and real world applications.
The results were outstanding, with student built cranes successfully lifting loads well beyond expectations, including a lift exceeding 100 kg over the required 50 mm height.
This achievement is a testament to the students’ problem solving skills, creativity and ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical context.
The project highlighted the depth of talent within the cohort and provided an authentic insight into the engineering design process, from concept through to testing and evaluation.”
As we all gather and stand upon Country, may we acknowledge and respect Gumbaynggirr Land and the thousands of years’ worth of both physical and spiritual connection to Country, culture and teachings embedded forever within these Lands.