Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) school students have taken out prizes in a national science, technology, engineering and mathematics competition in Melbourne today (Wednesday 31 August 2022).
All Saints Parish Primary School Albany Creek took the top award at the STEM MAD National Competition in The Future is STEM Primary category with their invention Airborne Ambulance, which delivers medicine and uses video conferencing technology to aid those requiring urgent paramedic care.
BCE Deputy Executive Director Dr Doug Ashleigh said he was in awe of the quality of student entries and the focus on saving lives in emergencies.
“Some teams proposed inventions which could aimed to prevent fatal road accidents during flooding events, and assist people during natural disasters,” he said.
“Our students truly heard the call to make a difference in others' lives this year. One entry even alerts drivers about flooded roads ahead.
Dr Ashleigh said the STEM MAD National competition combines STEM learning with the ethos in Catholic schools to help students make a difference.
“BCE schools challenge students to not only be innovative and creative in the world of STEM, but also look at opportunities for real-world outcomes. It is truly inspiring to see.
“I cannot help but to be in awe of our student’s awareness of issues in society and creativeness in developing solutions, is what makes the STEM MAD National competition so unique.
“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.
“These inventions are ground-breaking, and I would like to congratulate the BCE National STEM MAD competition winners for 2022, and I hope this competition will inspire many of you to pursue careers in STEM after school.”
Dr Ashleigh added STEM jobs are in high demand as we see a global shift towards digitization, automation, and sustainability.
“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,” he said.
The BCE STEM MAD National Competition winners for 2022:
Overall winner Year 6 students from All Saints Parish Primary School Albany Creek - The Future is STEM Primary for their invention Airborne Ambulance which delivers medicine and uses video conferencing technology to aid those requiring urgent paramedic care.
Winner Year 11 students from St Peter Claver College Riverview - Best Overall Engineered Product (secondary), Finalist STEM MAD Secondary and Best Demonstration of Science in Context (secondary), for their invention H.E.L.P.S., a Hydro-Electric Lifeline Power Source which acts as a self-reliant energy generator.
Winner Best Integration of Technology (primary) Year 6 students from All Saints Parish Primary School Albany Creek for their invention The Smart Flood Pole, a warning system which activates flashing lights when water levels reach unsafe levels during major flooding events.
Winner Well-being Award (secondary) and Finalist Communications Award (secondary) Year 10 students from St Mary's College Maryborough for their app invention A.I.D. - Assistance in Disaster, which helps residents request help and contact their local Councillors during natural disasters.
The winners will now showcase their projects at the National Showcase in Melbourne next Tuesday (6 September). Students from Siena Primary School Sippy Downs were also chosen to present their invention Crypto Scanner, which detects the water born disease cryptosporidium helping to prevent illness and death, at the showcase.
The STEM MAD National Showcase is supported by the Catholic Network Australia (CNA).
To find out more about the STEM MAD National competition click here.