Gold Coast STEM stars shine in Queensland

Published Wednesday, 19 August, 2015 at 05:01 PM

Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

Six Gold Coasters are among 30 Queenslanders recognised in the 2015 Peter Doherty Awards, Education Minister Kate Jones announced today.

Ms Jones said the awards promoted excellence in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The award winners include:

Outstanding Senior Science Student

  • Nitin Niranjan, All Saints Anglican School
  • Thuvarakan Muthukkumarasamy, A.B. Paterson College

Outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior Mathematics and Technology Student

  • Brent Woolf, Palm Beach Currumbin State High School

Outstanding Teacher of Science

  • Randall Hall, Department of Education and Training, South East Region
  • Brooke Overduin, Ormeau Woods State High School

Science Education Partnership Award

  • Smart Water Research Centre (Researcher Ben Matthew)

“I congratulate the students, teachers and researchers on their commitment to excellence in science and maths,” Ms Jones said.

Ms Jones said award recipients this year included students, teachers, support officers, schools, and a corporate science education partner.

“The 30 recipients of the 2015 Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education include 20 Year 12 students,” she said.

“They represent some of the very brightest and best of our current crop of science, mathematics and technology students.

“The Peter Doherty Awards have a proud 11-year record of highlighting and rewarding outstanding science talent in our education system.

“These awards are one way we can help promote the importance of STEM subjects as we prepare Queensland students for the challenges of tomorrow.”

Ms Jones said each award recipient would receive a $5,000 prize.

The awards take their name from Nobel Laureate and Indooroopilly State High School graduate Professor Peter Doherty AC, co-recipient of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and 1997 Australian of the Year.

The full list of winners can be found on the department’s website at www.education.qld.gov.au/science-awards.

Media contact: Minister Jones’ Office 3719 7530