Teachers, support staff and schools leading innovative STEM education have been recognised in the 2026 Peter Doherty Awards, alongside outstanding Queensland students.
Queensland educators and schools are being recognised for their contribution to science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, with teachers, a support officer, a school and an education partnership among the 2026 Peter Doherty Award winners.
Now in their 23rd year, the Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education celebrate outstanding contributions to STEM education across Queensland. This year, 28 awards were presented across seven categories, with each recipient receiving $5,000 to support further STEM education or professional development.
For educators, the awards recognise the work being done to build STEM capability, inspire curiosity and create opportunities for students to engage with STEM subjects and pathways.
Recognising STEM educators
Six teachers were named Outstanding Teachers of STEM in 2026:
- Melanie Armstrong — Scenic Shores State School
- Gerard Atzeni — Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
- Jamie Lay — Ferny Grove State High School
- Daniel Nicol — Brisbane South Secondary College
- Christine Vinaccia — Earnshaw State College
- Sandra Wallace — Chancellor State College
The Outstanding STEM Support Officer Award went to Kazuyuki Hosokawa of Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology, recognising the contribution of support staff to STEM learning.
The Outstanding School STEM Award was presented to Malanda State School, while the STEM Education Partnership Award recognised the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy.
Together, the awards highlight the contribution of classroom teachers, support staff, schools and education partners to creating strong STEM learning environments.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the awards recognised the breadth of STEM talent across Queensland schools and communities.
“These awards honour the students, educators, schools and partners who are helping to build a strong pipeline of future scientists, engineers, mathematicians and innovators for Queensland,” he said.
Celebrating the next generation
Students were also recognised across three categories, acknowledging senior students as well as students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and rural and remote communities.
The Outstanding Senior STEM Student Award recognised 17 students from schools across Queensland, while Seth Johnson of Bundaberg State High School received the Outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior STEM Student Award.
The Outstanding Rural and Remote Senior STEM Student Award went to Georgia Nolan of Spinifex State College, Mount Isa.
2026 student award winners
Outstanding Senior STEM Student
- Raghav Agrawal — Kedron State High School
- Aditya Bhat — Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
- Eve Bowler — Miami State High School
- Swarith Chand — Bundaberg State High School
- Caleb Dang — Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
- Bhavy Garg — Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
- Lachlan Gatto — Bundaberg State High School
- Taj Khan — Toowoomba Grammar School
- Thomas MacInnes — The Gap State High School
- Sarbani Maitra — St John’s Anglican College, College Ave, Forest Lake
- Jessica Mupenzi — Trinity Bay State High School
- Annanya Singh — Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
- Mariah Smith — Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
- Natalie Su — MacGregor State High School
- Indigo Vichta — Kelvin Grove State College
- Cherri Xi — Brisbane State High School
- Mayling Ye — Brisbane State High School
The awards are named after Brisbane-born Nobel Prize-winning scientist Professor Peter Doherty, who attended Indooroopilly State High School before studying at The University of Queensland.
The $5,000 prize awarded to each recipient can be used to support further STEM education or professional development, providing winners with an opportunity to build on their contribution to STEM education.
The 2026 awards demonstrate the breadth of STEM activity across Queensland, from classroom teaching and school-wide initiatives to support roles, partnerships and student achievement.