B
risbane Catholic Education (BCE) students have taken home awards in three out of the four major categories at the STEM MAD National Showcase (Tuesday 19 November).
BCE STEM MAD National winners include:
- Assisi Catholic College Upper Coomera Canary team, winners of the National Secondary Competition
- Siena Catholic College Sippy Downs Donstruct inventor Kobe O’Connor, winner of the National Future is STEM Secondary Competition
- St Francis Xavier Primary Runaway Bay C.E.M.S. Accessibility Parking team, winners of the National Primary Competition
Assisi Catholic College Upper Coomera Principal John Frare said, “the College is very proud of the students”.
“Our students worked tirelessly to research, create, and develop a prototype, all on their own which is quite remarkable,” he said.
“In addition, the College would really like to thank the quality teaching staff who have provided a framework and educational grounding for the students to be able to think the way they do.
“At Assisi we pride ourselves on being a wonderful Catholic school developing students in a grounded faith, which encourages students to think about others and ‘Make a Difference’ in the community and world at large.”
Assisi Catholic College Upper Coomera Year 11 student Joshua said he is “so happy and proud to know the hard work we put in has been recognised”.
“We’re that next step further to making a real difference to keep our workers safe with our wearable safety monitoring device for workers,” he said.
“Our invention measures both internal body signs, such as heart rate, as well external environmental settings such as temperature and humidity.
“Now we plan to keep progressing our invention further to get it out into the world.”
In addition to the three major winning teams, BCE’s St Ita’s Regional Primary School Dutton Park Micro Earth team won the sponsored primary Arkaroola Research and Education Foundation Award, while their KR Drone team won Showcase 1 People's Choice Award.
Mater Dei Primary School Ashgrove West was also a finalist in the Overall Primary category for their invention End the Silence.
BCE Lead Education Advisor Rochelle Smith said from enhancing workplace safety to improving accessibility and preserving habitats, our students have demonstrated a profound dedication to serving others and contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future.
“The Canary team looked to solve critical issues around worker safety with their hazard-detection system, which could be lifesaving for professionals in high-risk environments,” she said.
“It’s not just inventive—it’s deeply compassionate, inspired by a personal story and built to make a real difference.
“With Deconstruct, Siena College Sippy Downs students can visualise their projects using before they even begin construction, which is an incredible leap forward for workshop safety.
“Using cutting-edge technology with the use of Apple Vision Pro, Deconstruct empowers students to fully prepare and minimise risk, setting a new standard in educational spaces where safety is paramount.
“While the C.E.M.S. Accessibility Parking team from St Francis Xavier Runaway Bay tackled a problem that impacts daily life for people with disabilities.
“Their smart parking solution ensures that accessibility spaces are available only for those who truly need them.
“It’s a simple yet impactful idea that addresses inclusivity in a meaningful way.”
Rochelle also commended the Micro Earth team from St Ita’s Dutton Park.
“This team is looking to the future by focusing on preserving habitats,” she said.
“It’s inspiring to see such young students dedicated to protecting our environment and finding ways to make a difference for generations to come.
“These projects not only showcase remarkable creativity and technical skills but also reveal our student’s commitment to social responsibility.
“We couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments and the impact they’re poised to make.”
BCE Deputy Executive Director Durm O'Riordan said BCE was honoured to provide opportunities that empower young people to pursue their dreams, make meaningful impacts, and inspire us all.
The Canary team from Assisi Catholic College was also recently awarded the BOP Industries Dream Team of the Year Award at The Gen Awards 2024 and was also awarded runners-up at the Gold Coast Mayor’s Technology and Innovation Awards.
BCE proudly hosted the 2024 STEM MAD National Showcase.
About STEM MAD National:
The STEM MAD National 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 Catholic schools; encouraging students to make a difference (MAD) in the world by acting for justice and the common good.
This aligns with the papal call for action in Laudato Si': On Care for our Common Home.
Keynote speaker, Lucas Patchett, Co-Founder of Orange Sky Laundry.©Brisbane Catholic Education (2024).
©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Ita’s Regional Primary School Dutton Park (2024).
©Brisbane Catholic Education, Assisi Catholic College, Upper Coomera (2024).
©Brisbane Catholic Education (2024).
©Brisbane Catholic Education, Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs (2024).