Surprise visit to science award winners

Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek made a surprise visit to two outstanding Year 12 students from the Queensland Academy for Science Maths and Technology (QASMT) today.

Mr Langbroek personally congratulated Fiona Dao and Myky Tran who are among 21 winners of the10th annual Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science and Science Education.

“It was great to pay a surprise visit to Fiona and Myky who, along with impressive academic achievements, have demonstrated their commitment to science through extra-curricular activities,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Fiona helps run the Academy’s astronomy club and tutors younger students, while school captain Myky has visited other schools to encourage her peers to study science and follow in her footsteps by participating in the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra.

“The 21 winners will share in total prize winnings of $83,000 for outstanding and innovative contributions to science and science education in Queensland.

“The Peter Doherty awards is another example of the Newman Government’s continued commitment to science education in Queensland.”

Mr Langbroek congratulated the students, teachers, support officers, schools and organisations that have won awards in this 10th anniversary year.

“These awards will encourage people to continue their great work in the fields of science which affects our everyday lives in so many ways,” he said.

“Having Nobel Prize-winning scientist Professor Peter Doherty educated at Indooroopilly State High School and the University of Queensland is testament to the quality of education in this state.”

Mr Langbroek and Professor Doherty will attend a ceremony in Brisbane on 6 November to present all award winners with their prizes.
 

[ENDS] 15 August 2013

Media contact: Minister’s Office 3237 1000

The winners of the 2013 Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science and Science Education are:

School Science Award ($5000 each)

Payne Road State School (The Gap)

St Aidan's Anglican Girls School (Corinda)

Teacher of Science Award ($5000 each)

Christopher Farrelly, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School (Ascot)

John O'Farrell, Townsville State High School

Danielle Spencer, Mitchelton State School

Cassandra Walker, Holland Park State School

Kasey West, Meridan State College (Caloundra)

David Willis, Springfield Central State High School

Science Support Officer Award ($5000 each)
Francis Gardiner, Cavendish Road State High School (Holland Park)

Christina Rasmussen, Bundaberg North State High School

Science Education Partnership Award ($3000 each)
Kids' STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Convention Steering Committee

Senior Science Student Award ($3000 each)
Nicolas Anning, Meridan State College (Caloundra)

Jeffrey Barrett, Keebra Park State High School (Southport)

Lauren Booth, Ipswich Girls' Grammar School

Jasmine Colley, St. Patrick's College (Gympie)

Fiona Dao, Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology (Toowong)

James Kerr, Biloela State High School

Makenzie Moor, Indooroopilly State High School

Jack Stephens, Aviation High (Clayfield)

Teresa Tang, Brisbane State High School

Myky Tran, Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology (Toowong)