- 28 winners of 2023 Peter Doherty STEM education awards announced
- Annual awards celebrating 20th year in 2023
- Namesake and Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Doherty congratulates winners
Outstanding and innovative contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education in Queensland have been recognised with the awarding of the 2023 Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence.
Marking 20 years in 2023, 19 students, six teachers, one school support officer, one school and one partnership organisation were chosen as award winners from a field of 115 entries.
The Palaszczuk Government proudly backs STEM education in schools by supporting teachers and encouraging increased participation.
As well as the Peter Doherty Awards, STEM education is supported by a range of programs including:
- The Premier’s Coding Challenge
- Queensland Coding Academy
- Virtual STEM Academies, STEM Girl Power Initiative, STEM Industry Partnership forums, STEM Teacher Symposium
- And Regional, Rural and Remote Graduate Teacher scholarships at $15,000 each for future STEM teachers
Award namesake and Nobel Prize winner Laureate Professor Peter Doherty and Department of Education Director General Michael De’Ath presented the prestigious STEM education awards to the 28 winners last night.
The awards coincide with National Science Week, Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Grace Grace:
“STEM education provides opportunities to transform young people into our next generation of creative problem-solvers, critical thinkers and informed and engaged citizens.
“This is why the Palaszczuk Government strongly supports STEM education – ensuring there are enough qualified STEM professionals in Queensland to take on and solve the challenges of tomorrow and to drive our state forward.
“The list of STEM-based careers continues to grow, and Queensland’s state schools are giving students the skills they need to get them.”
Quotes attributable to Scientist and Nobel Prize winner Laureate Professor Peter Doherty:
“As a medical researcher and from the general viewpoint of a citizen of Australia and the world, I’m convinced humanity has entered an era of unparalleled complexity – new sciences like genomics and proteomics are revolutionising our understanding of biology.
“We are just beginning to grapple with the enormous scientific, ethical and social implications of these advances.
“Our approach to the ‘diabolical’ issue of anthropogenic climate change is likely to be disastrous if we do not apply strategies that are firmly based in science and reason.
“Many of the technological solutions will involve various forms of engineering – we also need bright lawyers, financiers and politicians who have some basic understanding of, and respect for, science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“Our best protection as we seek to deal with these infinitely complex issues is to ensure our young people are exposed to great STEM teachers and STEM education programs.”
Quotes attributable to 2022 Rural and Remote Senior STEM Student Award winner, Billie Cummings (Atherton State High School):
“I aspire to assist and strengthen rural and remote communities across Australia by making veterinary services more accessible in these regions and by helping to mitigate the challenges faced by rural individuals when seeking veterinary care.”
Billie has been offered a place in the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) at James Cook University. Being the first in her family to attend university, Billie said the award would help her to reach her goals and strive to make a real difference in the world.
