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 Wednesday 7th August 2024 Term 3 Week 3.

STEM MAD National 2024 will be held in at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibiton Centre QLD in November 2024. Tuesday 19th November. Venue to be confirmed. 

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.

   5. Schools may enter more than one team. Entry form here

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 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 2 - STEM MAD entry form is open. Please register here. One entry form per team is required.

2. Term 1 Week 8 - STEMMAD registrations close Friday 22d March* Late registrations may be accepted if places are still available.

3. Term 2 Week 8 - Schools seeking to be involved in National STEM MAD selection submit a final video of their project to CSPD by Friday 21st June 2024. Entry form to be provided at a later date.

1. Term 1 - Week 8 - school submission for inclusion to STEMMAD close.

2. Term 2 - Week 3 - Information webinar sessions for schools

3. Term 2 - Week 4 - Tips for video entries - will be available on this website

4. Term 2 - Week 8 - Schools submit their final National video.  

Schools must submit a video to be in the running for National selection. 4 schools will be selected in 2024 based on their video. Attendance at STEM MAD National will have associated costs. Schools can expect a contribution from our Learning Directorate to support National representation.

5. Term 2 - Week 10 - School finalise their project for CSPD STEM MAD.

6. Term 3 - Week 3 Wed 7th August  - STEM MAD CSPD Event at CathWest Innovation College, Mt Druitt

STEM MAD National dates

1. Final video submsssion for National for those schools selected due Friday 1st November. 

2. Term 4  Week 6 - STEM MAD National - Tuesday 19th November

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

2. Show them the 2023 entities on the CSPD STEM MAD website

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

4. Complete entry form by Friday 22nd March 2024

5. Attend a STEM MAD Information webinar sessions for schools  - T2W3- Tuesday 13th February - 3:30- 4pm Zoom link here.

1. Schools can contact Kelly Jawerth (kjawerth@parra.catholic.edu.au) or Lisa Nash (lnash@parra.catholic.edu.au) for in person support and access to STEM equipment for loan.

2. Schools getting involved with STEM and requiring access to specialised STEM equipment can Contact CathWest Innovation College - Principal Paul Stenning (pstenning@parra.catholic.edu.au)

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

See this document for video entry best practice for STEM MAD

The first in-person CSPD STEM MAD Showcase since the COVID-19 pandemic was a huge hit as 25 primary and 10 secondary teams from 18 schools presented their innovative STEM projects. 

The day also included a range of exciting STEM challenges and activities including bridge building, bottle rockets, a chess competition, F1 in Schools car presentation and races, and Makey Makey Game Controller and Coded Drones.

Of the 35 teams that presented at the showcase, five were selected to present at the National STEM MAD Showcase in Melbourne on 9 November. They are secondary schools CathWest Innovation College (Zoo of Poo), Catherine McAuley Westmead (Green Motion) and Marian Catholic College Kenthurst (SEWP - Sustainable Electricity and Water Provider) and primary schools St Angela’s Castle Hill (Biotricity) and St Bernadette’s Castle Hill (Sort It Out).

"STEM MAD provides so many students with a wonderful opportunity to come together, be inspired, and learn more about science,” said Christine Howe, CSPD Deputy Executive Director and Director of Learning.

“The MAD in STEM MAD stands for 'make a difference' and this is how we as a system of Catholic schools can use our science, engineering, maths, and technology skills to make our world a better place.”  See the full article here.

See photos from the day below.

CSPD Teams selected for STEM MAD National Representation 2023

Primary Secondary

Biotricity - St Angelas Zoo of Poo - CathWest

Sort it out - St Bernadette’s Castle Hill Heat Stress (Green motion) - Catherine McAuley

Sustainable Electricity & Water Provider - Marian College

Best on the Day Awards 

Best STEM product Primary Best STEM product Secondary

Biotricity - St Angela’s EOS - School of Now

Best presentation on the day Primary Best presentation on the day Secondary

H2Oasis - St Michael's Baulkham Hill Heat Stress (Green motion) - Catherine McAuley

Best STEM idea Primary Best STEM idea Secondary

Cyber Aware - Holy Family Granville Zoo of Poo CathWest

Activities on the Day

Bridge Testing

Congratulations to the following teams who won the bridge testing activity

Primary - OLMC Wentworthville <13kg

Secondary - Marian Catholic College (Girls team) 16.2kg

F1

A worthy mention to

St Agnes for the Barbie and Ken cards that captured the imagination

St Angela's who provided detailed posters of their learning for the day.

Bottle Rocket champions

Primary
1st Place St Angela's Primary Castle Hill 68 meters
2nd Place St Angela's Primary Castle Hill 31 meters

3rd Place St Aidan's Primary Rooty Hill 28 meters

Secondary
1st Place Patrician Brothers Blacktown 69 meters
2nd Place Patrician Brothers Blacktown 68 meters
2nd Place St Agnes Catholic High Rooty Hill 68 meters
3rd Place Catherine McAuley Westmead       36 meters

The quality of the entries nationally was phenomenal this year with over 60 primary and 40 secondary entries to STEM MAD National. 

CSPD schools were extremely successful at the STEM MAD National events. Our schools were both finalists and awarded major and category awards

See the awards list, the flipbook of the event, and the CSPD video entries.

STEM MAD National 2023 Awards to CSPD schools

     Category Awards

Best Innovation for Health Award Secondary - Heat Stressed - Catherine McAuley

Conservation Award Secondary - Zoo of Poo - CathWest Innovation College

Award for Demonstrating Catholic Ethos Award - SEWP - Sustainable Electricity & Water Provider - Marian College

Major Award

Future is STEM Primary Award - ​B​iotricity - St Angela's​ Primary

People's Choice Award - Best STEM Ambassador - St Angela's Primary

Finalists in the following awards

STEM MAD National Secondary Award - Heat Stressed - Catherine McAuley

Best Demonstration of Science in Context Secondary - Zoo of Poo - CathWest Innovation College

Award for Social Justice Secondary -Heat Stressed - Catherine McAuley

Award for Demonstrating the Catholic Ethos Primary - Recycle Pro - St Bernadette's Primary

STEM for Sustainability - Recycle Pro - St Bernadette's Primary

See video entries below