Future Makers STEM Inventors Challenge

 Are Your Students up for a Challenge?

The STEM Inventors Challenge is a 10-week Science and Design & Technologies program open to Years 7–10 students in Western Downs and Gladstone. Participation is free. Teachers are encouraged to enrol their classes, STEM clubs, or supervised teams of motivated students. Home Education students are welcome. 

Working in groups of 2–4, students in Years 7–10 will have 10 weeks to: 

• Learn relevant Science and Design & Technology principles from provided classroom activities  
• Devise a STEM-based solution in response to the challenge
• Create a prototype and informative tabletop display board that demonstrates key capabilities or design aspects of their proposed solution. 

To create their prototype, students are encouraged to use recycled products or materials they already own such as Lego, cardboard, craft supplies or 3D printing. The students’ prototype exhibitions will be judged by an expert panel during a celebratory event. 

There are fantastic prizes for students and their schools. All participants will receive a certificate. Read about past winners in the and  Gladstone Region and Western Downs

Email futuremakers@qm.qld.gov.au for more information and to express your interest.

2026 REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN NOW FOR WESTERN DOWNS — CLICK BELOW.

Mentor Expressions of Interest

We are calling for suitably qualified and available professionals (or retired professionals) in the areas of science, engineering and design to be STEM Mentors for 2026. STEM Mentors commit to participate in three, 30-minute video call sessions with student teams, to assist them in refining their inventive ideas.  Expertise in biological sciences is particularly relevant to this year's challenge, however all manner of expertise is deeply valued for this voluntary opportunity with Queensland Museum. In Western Downs, sessions will be weekly between Monday 1 June and Friday 17 July. In Gladstone they will be weekly between Monday 20 July and Friday 21 August. Email futuremakers@qm.qld.gov.au for more information. 

Submit a mentor EOI