STEM MAD

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The STEM MAD Showcase is a celebration of student learning designed to acknowledge and promote STEM learning initiatives that address real-world problems and demonstrate the values of Catholic Schools; encouraging students to make a difference (MAD) in the world by acting for justice and the common good. This national Catholic Education initiative aligns with the papal call for action in Laudato Si': On Care for our Common Home.  

2025 STEM MAD Showcase

On Wednesday 17 September at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, we will have over 50 schools from across BCE involved in the BCE STEM MAD Showcase with over 100 student teams. The Showcase is shaping up to be our biggest and most exciting ever! 

Winning teams from across Australia will then compete in the STEM MAD National Student Showcase on Tuesday 18 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre. This event is sponsored by the Catholic Network Australia (CNA). Further information can be found here.

2025 STEM MAD Showcase timeline of events

Key dates for 2025 

Wednesday 27 August – Entries close 
Friday 29 August – Video submissions are due 
Wednesday 17 September – BCE STEM MAD Student Showcase at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre 
Tuesday 18 November – National STEM MAD Student Showcase at the Adelaide Convention Centre



2024 Results

BCE STEM MAD Student Showcase

  • STEM MAD Teacher Award: Sarah Cridland
  • Executive Director's Award – Dr Sally Towns: C.E.M.S Accessibilty Parking - St Francis Xavier Primary Runaway Bay
  • STEM MAD Primary:
    • 1st place: Guide Guru– St Thomas's, Camp Hill
    • 2nd place: LockIt – St Joseph's, Bardon
    • 3rd place: BASKARM Stormwater Drain Filter & Collection Service - St Francis Xavier, Runaway Bay
  • STEM MAD Secondary:
    • 1st place: Canary -Assisi College, Upper Coomera
    • 2nd place: Electromagnet Battery Charger - Marymount College, Burleigh Waters
    • 3rd place: Drink Smart - Siena College, Sippy Downs
  • The Future is STEM:
    • 1st place: Dcnstruct (Deconstruct) -Siena College, Sippy Downs
    • 2nd place: End the Silence - Mater Dei, Ashgrove West
    • 3rd place: The Smart Bin - St Mary's College, Maryborough
  • People's Choice Award – Showcase 1: Micro Earth from St Ita's Dutton Park
  • People's Choice Award – Showcase 2: The Crow Away from St Columba's Wilston​

National STEM MAD Student Showcase

 

Following on from local STEM MAD showcases across Australia, each diocese or system of schools nominated up to three projects in the categories primary, secondary and 'Future is STEM', which best demonstrated deep learning and met the project criteria.

The STEM MAD National Advisory Committee was comprised of representatives from each participating state, judged nominees based on the project criteria; specifically looking for…

  • Innovative ideas
  • A clear demonstration of the design process and learning journey
  • Eloquent, highly competent presenters

Watch an overview of the 2024 STEM MAD National Showcase below.


2024 National STEM MAD Winners

​Category
​School
​Project
​Primary (Winner)
​St Francis Xavier, Runaway Bay
​C.E.M.S. Accessibility Parking
​Primary (2nd Place)​
​Mater Dei, Ashrove West 
​End the Silence
​Secondary (Winner)
​Assisi College, Upper Coomera
​The Canary
​Future is STEM Secondary (Winner)
​Siena College, Sippy Downs
​Deconstruct
​Arkaroola Education Primary (Winner)
​St Ita's, Dutton Park
​Micro Earth

​​Showcase Awards

​People's Choice Showcase 1
​St Ita's Dutton Park
​KR Drone​
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Marymount College, Burleigh Waters - AI Lung Scanner - won the Overall STEM MAD National Secondary category and finalist in the best integration of technology (secondary)

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​St Mary's College, Maryborough - ETFC - won the Overall STEM MAD Secondary - Future is STEM, finalist in the best integration of technology (secondary), and finalist in the communication award (secondary)​

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All Saints, Albany Creek - Safelet - were equal winners in the Overall STEM MAD National Primary category

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Mater Dei, Ashgrove West won the Andy Thomas Space Foundation: STEM in Space (primary) sponsored award​

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