STEM MAD is an opportunity for schools to showcase their STEM learning through STEM projects that are designed to make a difference (MAD). Students showcase their projects with peers, receive feedback, and learn from viewing other student work. Additionally, four schools are selected to represent CSPD at the National event where they can network and learn with student peers from across Australia. Teachers also connect with colleagues, exchanging ideas and resources. 

STEM MAD CSPD Event - CathWest Innovation College Mt Druitt will proudly be hosting our event on Tuesday 12th August 2025

STEM MAD National 2025 will be held in Adelaide on Tuesday 18th November 2025.

Four teams will be selected to attend and represent CSPD from the CSPD National Entry Category.

See the STEM MAD National website for more information.

Is STEM MAD a competition?

Students participating in STEM MAD CSPD event and STEM MAD National competitions receive judged awards. 

From our CSPD National Entries event, four teams are selected based on their video submissions to attend STEM MAD National. Awards given at this event include Catholic Ethos, Conservation, and innovation (see website).

However, there are other benefits for schools and students (see "What is STEM MAD and what are the benefits?)

There are two entry categories

1. STEM MAD National selection entry

   1. Schools must enter a video to the CSPD STEM MAD event.

   2. Teams must be no larger than 4 members

   3. The video must not exceed 2 min 30 sec. 

   4. CSPD will select 4 winning teams for National based on their video entry only. Video Entry Form

   5. Schools may enter more than one team. Entry form will be provided in 2025.

2. STEM MAD CSPD event only

   1. Schools can attend the event with their project - no video entry is required. Team numbers are recommended to be 4 but no more than 8.

   2. If teams choose to submit an optional video it must not exceed 2 min 30 sec

   3. Schools may be able to bring other students to the event depending on capacity after project teams have been included. 

   4. Schools may enter more than one team. Entry form will be provided here

Additional forms will be sent closer to the video due date (National Entries) or CSPD event date (CSPD event entry only) to collect team and project information. 

Schools may change their nominated entry category at any time but must meet the criteria if changing to a STEM MAD National entry from a CSPD event entry. Schools should email stemmad@parra.catholic.edu to advise entry changes. 

How does my school get involved?

1. Term 1 Week 3 - To attend CSPD STEM MAD register here. One entry form per team is required (not one per school).

2. Term 1 Week 8 - registration for attendance at STEM MAD closes Friday 11th April* Late registrations may be accepted if places are still available. NOTE: Your video is not due on this date, only registration to attend. You do not need to have finalised your project.

3. If you register for STEM MAD National entry you will be supplied with a link to the Video Entry Form

4. Term 2 Week 8 - Schools seeking to be involved in National STEM MAD selection must submit a final video of their project to CSPD. A form to submit your video will be provided based on your STEM MAD entry form. Video Entry Form

Information Webinars and videos information for Schools

1. STEM MAD Information webinar sessions for schools  - T2W3- Tuesday 13th May - 3:30 - 4 pm. A virtual meeting link will be sent to all registered schools.

2. Videos for students about STEM MAD.  STEM MAD Primary video and STEM MAD Secondary video.

Entry requirements and further details about STEM MAD

See the CSPD STEM MAD website

1. Start to talk to students about STEM MAD project options

2. Show them the 2024 entities on the pages below

3. Start students thinking about a possible project that would make a difference (MAD)

4. Complete the Entry Form when available in early 2025 

5. Attend a STEM MAD Information webinar sessions for schools - Virtual meeting will be set up in early 2025

Schools can email questions to STEMMAD@parra.catholic.edu.au

National STEMMAD provides detailed information on their website here. 

However we have pulled out key information here:

 Submissions will be evaluated based on the following:

• Design process, including an iterative prototyping cycle

• Links to the curriculum across the STEM disciplines and capabilities  

• Innovative application of scientific and mathematical concepts 

• Engineering and communication principles  

• Catholic distinction of Making a Difference to others and the environment.

The judging criteria for 2025 can be found on their website

Term 2 Week 8 - Schools seeking to be involved in National STEM MAD selection must submit a final video of their project to CSPD. A form to submit your video will be provided based on your STEM MAD entry form.

See this document for video entry best practice for STEM MAD

The 2024 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) STEM MAD Showcase was a resounding success, with nearly 400 students, 50 teachers and dozens of staff celebrating a day of innovation, creativity and collaboration.

Held at CathWest Innovation College, the event featured 94 teams from over 20 schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, all eager to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) projects aimed at making a positive impact on the world.Each team demonstrated not only technical skill but also a deep commitment to using STEM to make a positive impact on the world. The day was further supported by dozens of CathWest staff and CSPD support teams, making it a truly collaborative effort. See the full article here

For photos of the day see bottom of page or view image carousel below

2024 CSPD STEM MAD Showcase Awards

Primary Awards

National Selection (based on video submission)
St Margaret Mary’s Primary Merrylands - ACTZ- We Take Action
St Michael's Primary Baulkham Hills - The PRT (The Piped Rubbish Transporter)

Highly Commended (video submission for National)
Highly Commended Design Process - St Margaret Mary’s Primary Merrylands - Waste Warriors
Highly Commended Innovation - St Michael's Primary Baulkham Hills - Treadmill Road
Highly Commended Links to Curriculum - St Angela's Primary Castle Hill - Oceaner
Highly commended Making a Difference - St Margaret Mary’s Primary Merrylands - First Aid Rangers
Highly Commended Communication - St Bernadette's Primary Castle Hill - SockEz

Judged on the Day

Best Overall projects on the day
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary Wentworthville - Ocean Acidification (Group A/B)
St Angela’s Primary Castle Hill- Eco Hat (Group C/D)

Highly commended projects of the day
St Aidan's Primary Rooty Hill - Bee Lock (Group A/B)
St Angela's Primary Castle Hill - Oceaner (Group C/D)

Secondary Awards

National Selection (based on video submission)
Santa Sophia Catholic College - Wind project
Marian Catholic College Kenthurst - Fun Guys

Highly Commended (video submission for National)
Highly Commended Design Process - Marian Catholic College - Spuddles
Highly Commended Innovation - Xavier College Llandilo - Hollagram
Highly Commended STEM application - CathWest Innovation College Moun Druitt - Mars Prototype
Highly Commended Making a Difference - Xavier College Llandilo - S.O.R.T.
Highly Commended Communication - Catherine McCauley Westmead - Zen Zoo buddy

Judged on the Day

Best overall projects on the day
Catherine McAuley Westmead - Tech Neck (Group A/B)
Marian Catholic College Kenthurst - Starch Polymer (Group C/D)

Highly commended projects of the day
Catherine McAuley Westmead - Kaida (Group A/B)
Marian Catholic College Kenthurst - Trash for Building (Group C/D)

Activities

Bridge Breaking Testing
Group D winner - Good Shepherd Primary Plumpton Weight = 13 kg
Group B winner - St Patrick's Primary Blacktown Weight = 12.7 kg

Power Anchor planes

Session 1
Fastest - Marian Catholic College Kenthurst (6.03m/per second )
Highest - St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill (1.41m)

Session 2
Fastest - Xavier College Llandilo - 10.68m/per second
Highest - Xavier College Llandilo - 1.23 metres

STEM MAD National is a National celebration of STEM learning across dioceses and was held in Brisbane on Tuesday 19th November at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Merivale St, South Brisbane.

Schools that have been nominated for National to represent CSPD are automatically accepted to National to attend and showcase their STEM MAD project.

Well done to a number of our schools who got to showcase their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) projects at the STEM MAD Nationals in Brisbane.

Their projects not only highlighted the students' impressive STEM skills and knowledge, but showed how young people can create impactful solutions to make a difference in the world.

Congratulations to Marian Catholic College Kenthurst’s Fun Guyz Project team who won the Arakoola Conservation Award with their fungi-based solution to reduce CO2 and boost plant growth.

St Margaret Mary's Primary Merrylands (ACTZ), St Michael's Baulkham Hills (PRT Project) and Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables (Wind Project) also made us all proud.

See school Video entries below: