Celebrating BCE scientists & aspiring scientists this National Science Week

St Kevin’s School Benowa student Stella, with her invention which helps conserve water. ​​

National Science Week (13 to 21 August) is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. 

This year, Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) would like to shine a light on some of the scientists and aspiring scientists across our 146 schools.  

Dr Nick Davis-Poynter, Junior Science and Maths & Senior Biology and Chemistry Teacher, Mt Maria College Mitchelton

“Preparing students for careers in STEM fields will provide the foundation for future technological advances required for a sustainable future.” 

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Dr Nick Davis-Poynter teaching biology science.


After spending 25 years working as a researcher, researching virus infected cells and disease, Dr Davis-Poynter decided to undertake a Post Graduate Diploma of Education, kick starting his teaching career in 2016. 


Dr Davis Poynter said he felt motivated to become a teacher as he felt inspired to promote scientific curiosity and skills. 


“Helping students develop their knowledge and experimental skills, including creative challenges that incorporate student interests for art, music or other pursuits is one of my passions,” he said. 


Science is a creative industry, whether discovering new knowledge, developing technologies, or seeking to solve problems.   


“I like to encourage my students with interests and abilities in science subjects to explore various career opportunities.  

“What makes science so special, is that the skills in science are transferable to other industries, such as from theoretical Physics to financial modelling. 
 

Dr Davis-Poynter added the rapid changes in technology experienced by my generation have been underpinned by scientific research. 

It is important for our society that students in general are equipped with critical thinking skills to be able to make informed judgments about information in the public domain,” he said. 


Preparing students for careers in STEM fields will provide the foundation for future technological advances required for a sustainable future. 


Hayley Stanly, BCE Education Officer, Learning, Teaching & Curriculum 

 

“BCE is working to prepare our learning, not for how the world is now but instead the future because they are our future.” 


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BCE Education Officer Hayley Stanly with BCE student. 

 

After beginning her career as a School Officer, Hayley went onto become a Secondary Teacher, Science and Mathematics at Mt Maria College Petrie, in the infancy of the school she worked with students and the curriculum to develop the science program at the school 

 

BCE Education Officer Hayley Stanly said she originally pursued a career as a science teacher so she could combine her passion for science while helping others through education, to develop their own passions. 


“I became a curriculum leader in science, because I fell in love with working with the Australian curriculum and the subject of science, as well as influencing students, which lead me into my role in BCE head office as the Science Education Officer,” she said. 


In my role I have the opportunity to work with the enthusiastic staff in science across our secondary and primary BCE Schools.  


I love that I get to share my passion for science and make a difference and inspire others to pursue careers in science.  


We should encourage more students to pursue careers in science as it is such a diverse field, from recycling, cars design, to food production and computers, everything from when you wake up to the moment you go to sleep, it’s all science based.  


There’s just a plethora of unseen opportunities for students in science.  


Hayley added as the world is changing quickly, it is important the skills of our learners match these changes. 


BCE is working to prepare students with 21st century skills,” she said. 

 

“Skills such as critical thinking, creativity, cultural awareness, collaboration, and problem-solving, all of which can be developed through study in STEM. 

 

Jobs that were once held by people can now be completed faster and more efficiently by machinery, which is why BCE is working hard to prepare our learners for the future now. 

 

By preparing students with the skill set that comes with learning science or STEM, we are preparing them to understand and apply data, develop solutions to complex problems, all of which will be essential in the future, with the rise of technologies in biomedicine, microfabrication, robotics, and artificial intelligences.  

 

BCE Year 12 student Matilda, Mt Maria College Petrie 

 

“Science shows us how the world works, and I feel inspired to discover cures and preventions to diseases currently facing our world.” 


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Mt Maria College Petrie student Matilda in science class. 

 

Mt Maria College Petrie Year 12 student Matilda said when she finishes Year 12, she will be pursuing haematology and cancer research. 

“I want to be a scientist and help find the cure for cancer,” she said. 


“I am driven by my passion to help those around me who experience cancer, and I want to make a difference in this world. 


“I am also interested in animal sciences and find it interesting to learn about the complexities and behaviours of different animal species. 


“I am inspired by science, and I am intrigued by all you can learn and how it shows how the world works and how much we must learn in order to discover cures and prevention to diseases. 


“I love science as there's always something to learn and study, and I am inspired to help others and have a drive to research in the medical science.” 


BCE student Year 6 Stella, St Kevin’s School Benowa 


“I am inspired to become a scientist because so many amazing things have been done with science and I would like to contribute to that.” 

 

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St Kevin’s School Benowa student Stella, with her invention which helps conserve water. 

 

St Kevin’s School Benowa Year 6 student Stella, says when she grows up she wants to become a marine biologist, because she loves animals. 

 

I feel inspired by science because it is so fun to create, test and improve my projects.  


It is also amazing because you can do anything you set your mind to with the power of science. 

 

Stella added earlier this year she also took part in the BCE STEM MAD Showcase 2022, with a team invention which helps conserve water. 

 

“I felt inspired to create our STEM project because we were looking at worldwide problems in our society, and water wastage was a major issue,” she said. 

 

“Our invention can help others by conserving water and reducing electricity, with a warning system that gives you alerts to get out of the shower.  

 

When the final warning is reached your water automatically shuts off.  


I love science because you can do anything you set your mind to with the power of science. 

 

BCE Year 6 student Darcy, St Kevin’s School Benowa 

 

I find science to be so much fun! The experiments and chemistry are very enjoyable.” 


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St Kevin’s School Benowa student Darcy, with his invention Colour Our World. 

 

St Kevin’s School Benowa Year 6 student Darcy says when he grows up he wants to be a pilot.  

 

“Being a pilot requires knowledge of a lot of technology, mathematics, and engineering. 


I want to be a pilot because my great grandfather was an engineer for planes, and this has really inspired me. 

 

Science inspires me because my dad is a science teacher and Science runs in my genes. 

 

Darcy added earlier this year he also took part in the BCE STEM MAD Showcase 2022, with a team invention which helps people with colour vision deficiencies (CVD). 


Engineering and designing the prototype definitely wasn’t easy, and I ran into many challenges,” he said. 

 

“The prototype can help others with CVD by helping them see six thousand assorted colours through our prototype.  

 

People with CVD cannot see the colour we see, so this protype allows them to see the colour they have previously not been able to see properly, by increasing saturation using LED lights. 

 

I love science because it tests ideas and investigates if there is an answer to problems.” 

 

BCE Year 12 student Elloise, Mt Maria College Petrie 

 

As a child I have always loved science and the idea of being in a lab testing samples to help solve crimes interests me. 


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Mt Maria College Petrie student Elloise in science class. 

 

Mt Maria College Petrie Year 12 student Elloise said when she finishes Year 12, she wants to become a forensic scientist. 


“I have always enjoyed doing microbiology as a subject, as well as it was fun identifying different cell structures, which is why I want to become a forensic scientist,” she said. 


I love science as without it in the world, we wouldn't have many of the medicines and vaccines we have currently. 


In terms of forensics many cases would be left unsolved.  


Science saves lives as well as putting people's minds at ease.” 


Elloise added being in class and discovering how different chemicals can cause different types of reactions really interests her. 


“Science changes my perfective on life, I love learning about how the human body works,” she said. 

 

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