80 teams of students across 35 Brisbane Catholic Education schools will compete for the top prize at the STEM MAD Showcase 2022 next week (Wednesday 20 July). This year’s entries take the competition to new heights, with inventions providing solutions to some of the world’s largest issues, from pollution, conservation, and climate change to space exploration – even inventions which could clear space debris!
Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) Executive Director Dr Sally Towns said the STEM showcase is a celebration of student learning designed to acknowledge and promote STEM learning initiatives that address real-world problems and demonstrate the particularity of BCE schools.
“Science Technology Engineering and Maths jobs are in high demand as we see a global shift towards digitization, automation, and sustainability,” Dr Towns said.
“And BCE schools are full of talented students who are all set to use their skills in analytics, problem-solving, research, attention to detail and research to forge themselves future STEM careers.
“We’ve received double the number of entries compared to the previous year’s event, showing the appeal of offering real-world innovation experience, not only in their own classrooms, but now to a wider audience thanks to this showcase.
“The STEM MAD Student Showcase encourages students to make a difference (MAD) in the world by acting for justice and the common good, aligning with the papal call for action in Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home.
“Not only are students provided the opportunity to make real world impact with their inventions, but the entries also highlight the amazing gifts and ingenuity of BCE students in the field of STEM in an experience which is unique to BCE schools.
“I can’t wait to learn more about all the incredible entries at this year’s competition.
“I would like to thank all BCE staff and teachers who have put so much effort, in the lead up to this event, and I wish all BCE students to very best at this year’s competition.”
The winners of the STEM MAD Showcase 2022, to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, will go onto compete the STEM MAD National competition in Melbourne in September, with BCE students winning the Wellbeing Secondary, Best Engineer Product Primary, Future is STEM Primary, and STEM MAD National Secondary categories at last year’s national competition.
To watch last year’s STEM MAD National winning entries, click here.
For more information about STEM MAD National competition click here.