Do you know an exceptional science, technology, engineering or mathematics teacher? Show them how much you value their work by nominating them for the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. Nominations are now open and will close on 17 December 2024.
There are 2 science teaching prizes that celebrate demonstrated excellence for science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) teachers. To help celebrate and acknowledge the critical role teachers play in motivating and inspiring students’ interest in STEM, recipients of the science teaching prizes are awarded $250,000 in prize money.
Help recognise the impact of primary and secondary STEM teachers who inspire students to engage with, and foster a love of STEM subjects, by nominating them for a science teaching prize. Nominations can be made by school principals or peers at business.gov.au/scienceteachingprizes.
Ms Alice Leung, the recipient of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools, shares some of the creative ways she makes science fun and accessible for her students, the majority of whom come from non-English speaking backgrounds.
“My approach in teaching science is to always make it as fun as possible. I love using food in science, especially in practical activities. We use choc chip cookies to explore the sustainability of mining practices. It allows them to have something very familiar to work with to explore unfamiliar concepts,” Ms Leung said.
Mr Daniel Edwards, recipient of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools, shares how the STEM and digital technologies program he founded, GreenSTEM Education, focuses on student-centred learning which has led to great engagement from a diverse range of students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
“One of the programs we run at GreenSTEM Education is STEM Unlimited. Through a student-centred approach to learning, one of the things that's most impactful is students, instead of asking, well, why do I need to learn this? What's the point of this? they're saying things like, well, how can I achieve this? What do I need to learn to do this?” Mr Edwards said.
Hear more about Ms Leung and Mr Edwards stories at: Learn about the prize recipients.
To find out more information on the prizes and eligibility requirements, visit: Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science