The scale model must help in understanding how to achieve the best height in a standing high jump contest at the next Olympics.

Then throw in a spontaneous challenge.

That was what the Hastings Public School Tournament of Minds engineering mathematics team faced at the state final at the University of NSW on September 11.

The seven-member team impressed the judges and left the competition as NSW champions in the maths engineering section for the primary school category.

Tournament of Minds is a problem solving program for teams of students.

Tournament of Minds facilitator and teacher Karl Morris said he was just over the moon for the team.

“It is something they will remember and reflect on when they are adults as one of their greatest school achievements, I would suggest,” Mr Morris said.

He said the Tournament of Minds was as challenging as it could get for school students.

Team member Finn Hoy, 11, said he enjoyed the teamwork and being able to build lots of stuff.

The team will compete in the Australasian Pacific Finals at the Gold Coast in October.

Finn said that was really exciting.

Axel Lindeman said the team members got to use their skills to the best of their ability.

“You get to be with friends and really learn who you are,” the 11-year-old said.

Kael Harris, 12, said he liked using his engineering skills in a three-hour challenge.

Kael said he was a bit surprised and excited at the same time about competing in the Australasian Pacific Finals.

Teams drawn from across Australia as well as Hong Kong, Thailand and New Zealand will compete at the event.

The Hastings Public School team members are continuing to hone their skills.

The boys need to raise $650 each to compete at the four-day Tournament of Minds Australasian Finals.

People can donate at www.gofundme.com/hastingsTOM