Sunshine Coast takes out three STEM excellence awards

Two students from Mountain Creek State High School and a teacher from Chancellor State College have won awards for excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education at the 2018 Peter Doherty Awards.

Connor Creevey and Angharad Gordon from Mountain Creek State High have won awards in the Outstanding Senior STEM Student Awards category.

All winners receive $5,000 to further their knowledge and experience in STEM.

There are only 25 winners of the 2018 Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education across the state including just 16 senior students.

“For two students at one school to be named winners is truly exceptional,” said Education Minister Grace Grace.

“It is a remarkable tribute to their achievement and to the high-quality of education students are receiving at Mountain Creek State High School.

“Connor and Angharad can be very proud and I wish them all the best as they continue their education in the subjects that are shaping the future for all of us,” she said.

Chancellor State College teacher Simon Richardson is also a winner – one of just four to be named outstanding teachers of STEM.

“Mr Richardson is clearly one of the best teachers of these vital subjects in Queensland and I want to thank him for the great work he is doing to inspire students to embrace the new technology revolution,” Minister Grace said.

“Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are so important as they are driving rapid changes throughout the world.

“Coding and robotics are capturing imaginations in classrooms all over the world and people like Mr Richardson are making sure that our students are leading the way.”

Minister Grace said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to improve STEM teaching throughout Queensland.

“The Government understands how important it is for Queensland students to have access to world-class teachers and technology and has allocated $81.3 million over four years to support STEM teaching in all state primary schools.

“We are making sure that teachers have the skills they need to engage their students to make the most of the opportunities being created by technology,” she said.