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Register today for the STEM MAD Showcase event

Thursday 13 August 2026
10:00AM to 2:00PM
Damascus Events Centre
Damascus College, Ballarat

Join us and discover innovative student projects that make a difference. Explore student-led solutions, hear directly from young designers, and celebrate creativity, collaboration and inquiry-based learning in action. Open to schools, families and the wider community.

Register Attendance

Students using STEM to Make a Difference

Students from Emmaus Catholic Primary School and St Columba’s Primary School are taking part in a Collaborative Innovation Research Prototype (CIRP) that explores how science, technology, engineering and mathematics can be used to respond to real-world needs. 

Connected to DOBCEL Strategy 2035, the STEM MAD CIRP gives Year 5 and 6 students the opportunity to work collaboratively, think creatively and develop practical STEM-based solutions that can Make a Difference in their communities and beyond. 

The prototype reflects the purpose of CIRPs across the DOBCEL system: supporting schools to investigate contextually relevant educational challenges through collaboration, inquiry and prototyping. It also provides a practical example of Strategy 2035 in action, with students and teachers working together to design learning that is purposeful, future-focused and grounded in Catholic social teaching. 

About the prototype 

The STEM MAD CIRP began with a Kick-Off Event in May, where students participated in hands-on workshops involving artificial intelligence, coding, virtual reality, Micro:bits and 3D modelling. These experiences helped students explore different technologies and begin shaping ideas for projects that address practical needs. 

Throughout the project phase, students are developing, testing and refining their ideas in small groups during school time, supported by their teachers. The process is designed to strengthen collaboration, problem-solving, communication and student agency, while encouraging students to consider how their learning can contribute to justice, the common good and care for creation. 

Showcasing Student Innovation

Students will present their work at the STEM MAD Showcase on Thursday 13 August 2026 at the Damascus Events Centre, Damascus College. The showcase will provide an opportunity for principals, teachers, students, parents and members of the wider community to see the projects first-hand, hear from students about their thinking and design process, and celebrate student-centred, inquiry-based learning in action. 

Schools from across the Diocese are warmly invited to attend, particularly those interested in STEM learning, student agency, Catholic social teaching in action, and opportunities to connect with emerging practice through DOBCEL Strategy 2035. The invitation is also open to students from other schools, ideally those in Grades 4 and 5, who may have the opportunity to be involved in this kind of learning in their next year of school. Parents, families and members of the broader community are also welcome to attend and experience the creativity, collaboration and problem-solving demonstrated by students. 

Schools are encouraged to register for a principal or teacher to attend with a group of up to 20 students per school. This could be planned as a school excursion, giving students the chance to see STEM MAD in action and begin imagining what they may be part of in the future.

The event is free, but registration is required via the Trybooking link below. Please register for the total number of people you would like to attend, including students (1 ticket per person). Community members are also encouraged to register attendance.

Selected students will also have the opportunity to share their work at the National STEM MAD Exhibition in Sydney later in the year, connecting the local prototype with a national celebration of Catholic school student innovation. 

Strategy 2035 in action 

Through this CIRP, DOBCEL Strategy 2035 is being brought to life through authentic collaboration, local innovation and meaningful student learning. The STEM MAD CIRP demonstrates how schools can work together to prototype new approaches that are responsive to their context and connected to the shared mission of Catholic education. 

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