What is STEM MAD?

STEM MAD is a celebration of student learning that recognises and promotes STEM initiatives while addressing real-world problems, underpinned by Catholic Social Teaching Principles and encouraging students to make a difference in service of the common good.  This year, the decision has been made to reimagine the BCE STEM MAD Student Showcase to provide a more equitable experience for schools, eliminating geographical barriers and providing scope for broader participation.

Taking the form of an online only showcase, students will continue to have enriching opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue with learners from across BCE schools - centred around ideation, innovation and service to community. 

To begin STEM MAD projects, students work in small teams of up to four people to develop a service, product, or innovation to solve a problem for people or the environment, framed through Catholic Social Teaching Principles of human dignity, the common good, preferential option for the poor, solidarity, care for our common home, and subsidiarity and participation.

This year the STEM MAD Online Showcase was held on 14 September 2026 with eligible teams attending STEM MAD Nationals in Sydney on 26 November 2026.

STEM MAD Online Showcase 14 September 2026 

2026 BCE STEM MAD Results

People's Choice Award(s) 

  • Wapi Rescue, St Finbarr’s School, Ashgrove and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Waiben and Kirriri
  • Waterway Cleaning Net Solution, Assisi Catholic College, Upper Coomera
  • Environmental Enthusiasts, St Bernadine's School, Regents Park
  • Bush Fire Preventor, Guardian Angels’ Primary School, Wynnum
  • Seagrass Guards, St Finbarr’s School, Ashgrove and Our lady of the Sacred Heart Waiben and Kirriri
  • Bin Bot, Jubilee Primary School, Pacific Pines
  • Blue Loop, St Joseph’s Primary School, Corinda
  • Sun Savers, Holy Spirit School, New Farm
  • Lunch Loop, St Columba’s Primary School, Wilston
  • IMO, Our Lady of the Rosary School, Kenmore
  • Hydrotech, Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mt Gravatt
  • Project Pyro, St Mary’s College, Maryborough
  • Bet Bu$ter, St Mary’s College, Maryborough

Primary STEM 

  • 1st Safe Cool Play, St Francis Xavier School, Runaway Bay
  • 2nd Lunch Loop, St Columba’s Primary School, Wilston
  • 3rd The Eco Filter, St Francis Xavier School, Runaway Bay
  • 4th Memory Lens, St Ita’s Primary School, Dutton Park
  • 5th S.O.S. St Ita’s Primary School, Dutton Park

Secondary STEM 

  • 1st Bet Bu$ter, St Mary’s College, Maryborough
  • 2nd Breathing Buddy, St Benedict’s College, Mango Hill
  • 3rd Project Pyro, St Mary’s College, Maryborough

Future is STEM Award 

  • 1st Neuro Ride, St Mary’s College, Maryborough
  • 2nd Finding Balance, St Thomas’ School, Camp Hill
  • 3rd RoKa Rescue, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank

Executive Director's Award, proudly sponsored by BCE

  • Primary winner, Sweet Saviour, Guardian Angels’ Catholic Primary School, Ashmore
  • Secondary winner, Safe Start, Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs

Certificate Design Competition

  • Arabella Scheepers, All Saints Primary School, Albany Creek
  • Noah Klatt, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank

Trophy Design Competition

  • Seerat Kuur Ehahal, St Bernardine's Primary School, Regents Park

STEM MAD Teacher Award

  • Karen Siranovic, St Finbarr's, Ashgrove

 

Winning Videos

Executive Director Award - Primary winner, Sweet Saviour, Guardian Angels’ Catholic Primary School, Ashmore

Executive Director Award - Secondary winner, Safe Start, Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs

Primary STEM MAD overall winner, Safe Cool Play, St Francis Xavier School, Runaway Bay

Secondary STEM MAD overall winner, Bet Bu$ter, St Mary’s College, Maryborough

The Future is STEM overall winner, Neuro Ride, St Mary’s College, Maryborough

2025 National Results

  • Safe Stride – St Francis Xavier, Runaway Bay
    Winner of the Primary Catholic Social Teaching Overall Award.
  • Apollo – Assisi College, Upper Coomera
    Winner of the Secondary Andy Thomas Space Foundation Award for their brilliant use of GPS technologies. They’ve earned a bursary to attend the Australian Space Forum in Adelaide in 2026!
  • Project Melatron – St Mary’s College, Maryborough
    Winner of the Overall Secondary Category.

 But that’s not all! These incredible teams were selected to showcase their projects at Nationals as well (online and in-person):

  • SwimSafe Grid – St Kevin’s Primary, Benowa
  • John Magnet – St Eugene College, Burpengary
  • Family Press – St Joseph’s Primary, Bardon
  • Neuroglide – Assisi Catholic College, Upper Coomera
  • SQUIBBS Quantum Elite – Marymount College, Burleigh Waters
  • Nymphaea – St Ita’s Primary, Dutton Park
  • Allergy Aware – Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs
  • TECR – Turtle Eggs Conservation Robot – St Mary’s Primary, Laidley
  • Nature’s Fortress, YAWO Ghost Nets, Cool Kai Kai, Plastic Prison – St Finbarr’s, Ashgrove & Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Waiben