9 August 2024

Eric Abetz, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources

Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we are driving Tasmania forward, and STEM is an important part of that.

The 2024 Tasmanian STEM Excellence Awards have opened for applications today as National Science Week festivities commence around the state.

Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the awards celebrated the achievements of Tasmania's leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals.

“This will be one of the most vital sectors globally over the coming decades, and it is important that we highlight the sectors role in advancing society and as an exciting career choice,” Minister Abetz said.

“Whether it is health, manufacturing, agriculture, construction or professional services, STEM disciplines will play an ever-increasing role in our daily lives.

“Now in its ninth year, the Tasmanian STEM Excellence Awards have named 38 Tasmanian category winners since they began in 2016.

“Winners gain important recognition for their work, with previous winners including Founding Director of Beaker Street, Dr Margo Adler, Neuroscientist and #SuperstarsofSTEM Dr Lila Landowski, and 2023 winner, computer and space scientist, Mars Buttfield-Addison.

“With a total prize pool of $35,000 across six award categories, the STEM Excellence awards are an important recognition of the efforts these professionals put into their chosen careers.

“The awards recognise the Premier’s Researcher of the Year, Early Career Researcher of the Year, the Minister’s Innovation of the Year, Primary Teacher of the Year, Secondary Teacher of the Year, and Communicator of the Year.

“I encourage all of our STEM practitioners to get their applications in and become the next big thing in Tasmanian STEM,” he said.

Applications close on Friday 4 October 2024 at 6:00 pm.

For information on the 2024 Tasmanian STEM Excellence Awards, and to enter, go to https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/business/sectors/science_research/tasmanian_stem_excellence_awards_2024