Growing up watching TV shows like MythBusters and Top Gear was the match that sparked the engineering careers of Perth twins Morgan and Ashley Ure.
With matching double degrees in mechatronics and engineering, the 25-year-olds turn heads as they help design and build the Scitech Discovery Centre displays that engage minds young and old in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Ashley and Morgan will speak to the design, mechanics and history of the race car, and will offer personal insights into the life of an ECU student engineer and a woman in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine fields.Credit: Scitech
Earlier in 2024 they were part of a student racing team that took first place against 55 countries at Europe’s most established educational engineering competition – Formula Student.
Back on home soil, the pair dived right back into promoting WA science.
Morgan, a software engineer, and Ashley, an electrical engineer, are now inspiring the next generation of thinkers with talks on their winning design now running weekly during the school holidays at Scitech.
“Our parents really encouraged us both in not just maths and science, but also other pursuits like arts, gymnastics, dancing and music,” Ashley said.
“That definitely led to a well-rounded understanding that STEM is a part of so many different things.”
Weighing in at a feather-light 164 kilograms, the custom-built Wilson Resolute race car can reach 100km/h in under four seconds.
Its innovative rear suspension system, coupled with an efficient aerodynamics package and lightweight composite construction means the vehicle is especially nimble.
Morgan designed and built the car’s steering wheel from scratch.
More than purely building the car, the team has to incorporate design, marketing and budgeting skills into the project.
“It’s a massive undertaking, it’s a holistic view of what it would be like to work in an engineering job,” Morgan said.
“It’s not just necessarily getting to design cool things, it’s also about how can I work this all together to finish this project on time and on budget?”
The budget for the build was $30,000, but the girls estimate the true cost if it included labour time would have amounted to more than $1 million.
After three years of studying, working part-time and taking on Formula Student as extracurricular, they’re both now eager to dedicate time-sharing their knowledge and passion for women in science, following in the footsteps of their role model, distinguished neuroscientist and 2015 West Australian of the Year, Lyn Beazley.
Ashley (left) and Morgan Ure are paving the way for young engineers. Credit: Scitech
“There’s definitely been growth in the amount of women getting into engineering, but it’s not as fast as some industries would have hoped, but you do get to meet a few people that are very much like you and have that same sort of drive as you,” Morgan said.
“Even though you may not see quite as many women in engineering, there’s absolutely no barriers and everyone that we’ve met through university and Scitech has been really supportive,” Ashley followed.
Currently, Morgan is designing and building a radio astronomy exhibit that will feature in Scitech’s new gallery titled Here, There and Everywhere.
Ashley is also working on a display in the exhibition called virus box, a visual and physical representation of how a virus spreads within a community.
“What I love about the exhibits that we get to make is seeing them put out on the floor and somebody interacting with them,” Morgan said.
“It’s just really incredible, it’s not only satisfying to see the thing that you’ve been making working, it’s seeing somebody else visit and enjoying it and learning something from it.”
“It’s just a really good feeling.”
The month-long collaboration between ECU and Scitech to display the race car will include interactive talks from Ashley and Morgan.
They will speak to the design, mechanics and history of the race car, and will offer personal insights into the life of an ECU student engineer and a woman in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine fields.
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