STEM stars urged to apply for awards

Education Minister Kate Jones today encouraged Queenslanders to apply for the 2016 Peter Doherty Awards for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education.

Ms Jones said nominations for the awards opened today and were available to Queensland students, teachers, schools, volunteers, mentors and organisations who demonstrate an outstanding and innovative contribution to STEM education.

“Awards valued at $5000 each are on offer across six categories this year, recognising the importance of STEM in education and helping to prepare Queenslanders for jobs of the future,” she said.

“In 2015, the Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science and Science Education were extended to incorporate technology, engineering and mathematics to better reflect our focus on STEM education.

“STEM is important because it teaches students to be questioning, reflective thinkers who make informed evidence-based decisions.

“These traits are important in all aspects of life and in all career pursuits.”

Multiple awards will be issued in each category, together totalling up to $150,000. The categories are:

• Outstanding Senior STEM Student Awards
• Outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior STEM Student Awards
• Outstanding Teacher of STEM Awards
• Outstanding STEM Support Officer Awards
• STEM Education Partnership Awards
• Outstanding School STEM Awards.

This year marks the 13th year of the awards, which were named after Professor Peter Doherty, a Brisbane-born Nobel Prize-winning scientist who was educated at Indooroopilly State High School and University of Queensland.

Nominations close on Monday 21 March. Winners will be announced at an awards presentation ceremony to be held in Brisbane at the start of National Science Week on Friday 12 August.

For details visit the website at: www.education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/area/science/all-stars.html 

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