Townsville students will present manufacturing projects at an industry showcase on Wednesday, 25 November 2026, from 10 am to 1 pm at St Anthony's Catholic College in Deeragun. The students developed their projects through Queensland's STEM Advanced Manufacturing Future Skills School Program over two terms, working with industry partners on challenges faced by manufacturing companies. Senior secondary students will also pitch their projects to a shark tank panel. The Townsville event is one of eight showcases held across Queensland in October and November.
Mackay students will present projects developed through a STEM advanced manufacturing program at a local showcase. The event will be held at Eimeo Road State School on Friday, 30 October 2026, from 10 am to 1 pm. Students will share what they have learned and present possible solutions to industry challenges, developed with manufacturing partners. Senior secondary students will also pitch their projects to a shark tank panel. Mackay is one of eight Queensland locations hosting showcases across October and November.
Toowoomba students will present their advanced manufacturing project ideas at a showcase on Monday, 9 November 2026. The event runs from 10 am to 1 pm at Toowoomba State High School. The projects propose solutions to manufacturing industry challenges and were developed with industry partners over two terms. Students will pitch their work to an industry panel, and senior secondary students will also present to a shark tank panel. The showcase is part of a statewide Queensland series for the Advanced Manufacturing Future Skills program.
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Students from Central Coast Grammar School were members of both the winning and second place teams in the 2026 Celestino STEM Schools Challenge. The grand finale involved 134 students and tested ideas for a Sydney Science Park.
Year 6 students at Seabrook Primary School have won regional, state and national titles in a robotics competition. The team won the regional RoboCup Junior event in Geelong in July and the Victorian State Championships in September. Qualifying for the 2026 national championships in Canberra, they placed first and second in the Simple Simon Soccer contest, where students build robots that play soccer. Emerging technologies learning specialist Michele Le praised the students' growing skills and teamwork.
A $250,000 NSW Government grant will allow Port Macquarie charity Deadly Science to run STEM workshops in 50 regional and remote schools across New South Wales. The workshops will reach students from Kindergarten to Year 9, with a focus on Years 4 to 9. They start in 16 regional schools during Term 4 this year and expand across the state in 2027. The program aims to raise awareness of science, technology, engineering and maths careers and address the low representation of women and Aboriginal people in these industries.
A University of Newcastle program brought hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities to 110 students in the remote Aboriginal community of Wadeye, more than 420 kilometres south-west of Darwin. The program linked STEM learning with local culture, including Sea Country knowledge. Students tested water samples, built solar-powered circuits and designed fish traps using 3D-printed rocks and marbles. Leaders said the visit showed young people that their existing knowledge connects directly to STEM careers. The initiative was run with local partners, including Thamarrurr Sea Farmers and the Traditional Owners of Wadeye.
A Perth Modern student has won a WA Youth Award for his environmental work and advocacy. Alexander Hart, a Year 11 student, received the ECU action award for his volunteering, mentoring, and STEM projects. His team developed a website and app to track bushfire risks using NASA data. The principal praised his leadership and dedication, encouraging other students to get involved in their communities.
The federal government has 24 hours to decide whether to accept an offer from the European Space Agency to send Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg to the International Space Station. The mission, estimated to cost $100 million, requires financial support from states and private donors. South Australia has committed funds, and advocates hope the mission will inspire young people to pursue STEM careers and boost Australia's space sector.
La Trobe University researcher Dr Lakshmi Wijeyewickrema has received the Guiding Star Mentorship Award at the 2026 Women of Colour in STEM awards. The award recognises her work supporting the growth and personal development of her mentees. The awards are organised by STEM Sisters and celebrate women of colour working across science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Dr Wijeyewickrema was one of five La Trobe University nominees recognised across different categories.
