Terms and Conditions

The Awards are open to all schools in Queensland. The specific criteria for each 2025 category are listed below.

    Students who:
  • have completed Year 11 in a Queensland state or non-state school
  • have attained an A standard of achievement or equivalent in at least two Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) or other approved curriculum science, technology, engineering or mathematics General subjects in Year 11
  • be currently enrolled in at least two Year 12 QCAA or other approved curriculum science, mathematics, engineering or technology General subjects in a Queensland state or non-state school
  • Demonstrates a commitment to deep learning in STEM that goes beyond school curriculum requirements and exhibits a well-developed plan to pursue a STEM pathway beyond school
    • Teachers who:
  • Demonstrates consistently outstanding science or technology or engineering or mathematics teaching practices leading to improved student achievement and/or early learner engagement in STEM
  • Develops highly innovative programs that foster students’ and/or early learners’ curiosity, imagination and enthusiasm leading to increased student and/or early learner engagement and participation in STEM
  • Exhibits a deep commitment to building teacher and/or early years educator or community capability through the sharing of best practice in science or technology or engineering or mathematics education
    • School-based STEM Support Officers who:
  • Demonstrates exemplary support (beyond typical duties) that assists teachers and enhances student learning in science or technology or engineering or mathematics
  • Displays enhanced knowledge of contemporary STEM practices
  • Demonstrates a commitment to disseminating STEM information, practices and skills to other STEM support officers and teachers
    • Schools who:
  • Demonstrates excellence in science or technology or engineering or mathematics curriculum and assessment
  • Provides quality learning for all students in STEM, with a focus on science or technology or engineering or mathematics
  • Uses productive partnerships to enhance or extend the school science or technology or engineering or mathematics program
  • Is committed to the ongoing building of teacher capability and professional development in science or technology or engineering or mathematics
    • Education partners who:
  • Demonstrates a long-term commitment to increasing student participation and/or lifting student achievement through the fostering of curiosity, imagination, knowledge and enthusiasm for real-world science or technology or engineering or mathematics through schools
  • Enhances teacher capability through professional development and experiences that allow teachers to engage with contemporary STEM procedures, pedagogies and/or experiences beyond the classroom environment

Award conditions

Applicants may be nominated by themselves or by another person. Previous Peter Doherty Award recipients are not eligible to apply. Applications should not be for projects or initiatives that are the same or similar to previously submitted applications unless the project or initiative is significantly enhanced or modified. All applications are to be endorsed by your principal, centre director or approved provider.

How the award is to be used

For students the award is to be used to:

  • undertake activities associated with tertiary STEM courses
  • attend conferences, forums or events that will extend your experiences in STEM
  • purchase equipment that can assist your learning and development in STEM; and/or
  • undertake research projects, including experience in a research laboratory. 

For teachers and support officers, the award is to be used to:

  • assist you to undertake appropriate professional development activities acceptable to your principal and within the normal guidelines of your employing authority. 

For schools and education partners, the award is to be used to:

  •   assist in undertaking further STEM activities.

Attendance at the award ceremony

It is anticipated that the successful applicants will attend the awards ceremony. If required, travel and accommodation expenses will be paid by the Department of Education for the award recipients. For student awards the travel and accommodation expenses will also be paid for two accompanying adults if required.