BCE students take the top spots at STEM MAD Nationals!

Beyond the classroom

19 Nov 2025

Principal Bree Brockenshire (left) with Team ‘Project Melatron’ and educator Michaela Sanderson ©Brisbane Catholic Education (2025).

15 Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) teams took the top spots nationally for their creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills that will truly ‘Make a Difference’ at STEM MAD Nationals (18 November).

Competing against 110 other teams from across the nation, St Mary’s College, Maryborough students placed first in the secondary category for their invention ‘Project Melatron’.

Assisi Catholic College, Upper Coomera’s invention ‘Apollo’ won the Secondary Andy Thomas Space Foundation Award for their brilliant use of GPS technologies. They’ve also earned a bursary to attend the Australian Space Forum in Adelaide in 2026.

St Francis Xavier School, Runaway Bay, also won the Primary Catholic Social Teaching Overall Award for their invention ‘Safe Stride.’

Designed by Year 10 students Kashvi, Luka, and Archer, ‘Project Melatron’ is a two-part system that combines prevention and detection technologies and artificial intelligence to address melanoma cancer.

 Kashvi said their invention won because of its “prevention elements that help reduce UV exposure through monitoring and alerts, while the detection element uses advanced scanning and AI tools to identify early signs of melanoma”.

“In Australia, melanoma remains one of the most serious and preventable cancers, claiming over 1400 lives each year,” she said.

“Australia’s rural areas experience higher rates of skin cancer yet receive less research investment in affordable screening tools.”

Luka said, “Our invention is a more effective and accessible health solution for Australians.”

St Mary’s College, Maryborough Principal Bree Brockenshire said it was an incredible achievement and a testament to St Mary’s College’s ongoing commitment to excellence in STEM innovation.

BCE Lead Education Advisor Rochelle Smith said, “Our students hard work and dedication to ‘Making a Difference’ through STEM is inspiring”.

“We’re proud of the amazing ideas they are brought to life and the positive impact they are striving to create,” she said.

About ‘Apollo’

Assisi Catholic College’s ‘Apollo’ invention monitors drivers for signs of sleepiness and medical emergencies.

Inventors of Apollo Jett and Chase said, “This year, STEM MAD has been a fantastic opportunity provided by Assisi Catholic College and BCE”.

“It has allowed us to use our STEM skills not for our own benefit, but to help protect those most vulnerable on the road,” they said.

“We’ve gained so much from the experience, strengthening our teamwork, creativity, and innovation skills.

“It’s been extremely exciting and rewarding to see the real value of using STEM to ‘Make a Difference.’”

About ‘Safe Stride’

Students at St Francis Xavier School are harnessing hologram technology to make pedestrian crossings safer. Their invention projects a visual barrier whenever someone is crossing, ensuring pedestrians are protected while also making the crossing more visible to motorists.

BCE would also like to congratulate the following participating teams in this year’s STEM MAD National event: