Congratulations to Lillian Chen, who was selected to represent Brisbane State High School as one of only 60 students from across Queensland chosen to attend the Department of Education’s 2025 STEM Girl Power Camp, held from 19 to 23 May in Brisbane.

Throughout the camp, students engaged in innovative STEM workshops, explored industry sites like Cross River Rail and the Ecosciences Precinct, and connected with inspiring female role models from fields such as engineering, quantum technologies, and medicine.

They also participated in hands-on activities, including biomedical research at SPARQ-ed and science outreach with primary students. The experience fostered leadership, collaboration, and STEM communication skills. As 2025 STEM Ambassadors, students will now plan and lead a STEM event during National Science Week.

Reflecting on the camp, Lillian shared, “I was nervous at first, but I met so many amazing girls who shared my passion for STEM. From quantum physics workshops to panels with women in science, the experience opened my eyes to the vast world of STEM careers.”

– Ms Tahlia Matthew | Head of Junior Mathematics and Science

STEM Ambassadors – Semester Highlights

Exploring Science, Innovation and Real-World Impact

This semester, Brisbane State High School’s STEM Ambassadors are leading a range of exciting science and engineering investigations, each focused on solving real-world problems through research, creativity, and collaboration.

Our students are currently working toward their Silver CREST Awards from CSIRO, a nationally recognised student-led STEM inquiry challenge, along with planning for STAQ and AUSSEF competitions.  Our ambassadors are in the early stages of planning for an inspiring 2025 National Science Week, themed “Decoding the Universe – Exploring the Unknown with Nature’s Hidden Language.”

Here are a few insights into student projects:

Bioremediation

Students are testing water from Wivenhoe Dam and the Brisbane River, to compare these water sources and trial aquatic plants such as Duckweed, Vallisneria, and Elodea to purify the water naturally – demonstrating how ecosystems can help address pollution.

Self-Healing Bioplastics

Students are creating biodegradable plastics using materials like grass and compost. They assess how well the plastic “self-heals” after damage and focus on keeping the materials affordable, durable, and eco-friendly.

Effect of Salt Concentration in Water

Student investigation on how added salt changes conditions in water reservoirs – including effects on bacteria, aquatic plants, water circulation, and freezing points – offering insight into the impact of salinity on natural systems.

Nature’s Batteries

Exploring sustainable energy, this group tests whether citric acid from lemons can power batteries. The project aims to uncover cleaner alternatives to traditional chemical-based batteries.

pH and Water Temperature

This student group is exploring how temperature influences pH levels in water. Even small changes in temperature can significantly affect ecosystems and scientific measurements.

Reforestation with Drones

Students design a drone-based solution for reforestation, where drones drop seeds into inaccessible areas. It’s a cutting-edge approach to regenerating landscapes quickly and efficiently.

Caffeine and Memory Recall

This student investigation examines how caffeine affects memory. Students conduct recall tests with and without caffeine to see whether it enhances cognitive performance – a question many students wonder about during exams.

This semester has been filled with curiosity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving. We are proud of our STEM Ambassadors for their initiative and passion, and we’re excited to see where their discoveries lead next.

Stay curious!

– The BSHS STEM Ambassadors