Graeme Clark Award for STEMM Innovation in Schools

The Graeme Clark Award for STEMM Innovation in Schools recognises the efforts of a school to foster a culture and practice of design thinking to meet some of the most pressing challenges faced by society. It is inspired by the example of Laureate Professor Emeritus Graeme Clark AC FAA FRS, who recognised a need to address a major health issue of deafness and assembled a team with diverse skills to develop the world’s first successful cochlear implant in 1978.

 

This award, established by the Graeme Clark Foundation, celebrates and acknowledges STEMM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Medicine) innovation in Victorian schools. The Award has, to date, been awarded to Maffra Secondary College, Parkdale Secondary College, Casterton Secondary College and Haileybury College.

 

The Graeme Clark Foundation will offer a $3,000 prize for the Graeme Clark Award for STEMM Innovation in Schools at the Bionics Institute 2022 Graeme Clark Oration. The winning submission will be announced at the conclusion of the 2022 Graeme Clark Oration to be delivered by Dr Natalia Trayanova.

 

Submit your entry now for the 2022 Graeme Clark Award for STEMM Innovation in Schools

Entries must be received by 5pm AEST Monday 20th June

To submit your entry:

  1. Complete the online form addressing each of the five criteria, and
  2. Submit a video of no longer than 4 minutes also addressing the criteria.

Once you submit your online form you will receive an email with Instructions on how to upload your video and media release forms for any students in the video.
For the video submission:

  • Ensure the material is accessible for a public audience
  • Record the video in the highest quality possible – preferably full HD with excellent sound quality
  • Showcase one or more student design solutions that address an issue in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine)
  • Provide written consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of recordings of students from parents by completing this media release form
  • Ensure that students and parents are advised that the recordings are for the purposes of submission to the organisers of the Graeme Clark Oration and will be made publicly available

 

Award Criteria and Conditions:

The online form and video components of the submission should address the following criteria:

  1. Describe the context including the school’s objectives and resources devoted to the project (people, technology, experts, facilities).
  2. Describe how the school has integrated design thinking into its curriculum.
  3. Give evidence of the school curriculum linking students to real-world examples of STEMM innovation.
  4. Give evidence of one or more student design solutions where an issue in STEMM was the focus of a student design solution.
  5. Describe how the work improved collaboration between students beyond what used to exist.

Conditions for entry:

  • The award is open to all primary and secondary schools in Victoria.
  • One application per school will be accepted.
  • The unit or program is to have been wholly designed, developed, and delivered in the previous 18-month period.

 

Click here to complete the online entry form and receive instructions on how to upload your video and media release forms

 

Follow-up:

Each application will be acknowledged upon receipt by the Graeme Clark Oration organisers.

If required, schools may be contacted after the closing date for a short interview as part of the evaluation process.

Schools shortlisted for the award will have the opportunity to display their project at the Oration’s Biomedical Innovation Showcase, held prior to the Oration.

The winning school will be required to be represented at the Oration by a teacher and two students to collect the award. They will be notified ahead of time of their required attendance.

The application judged to be the best overall will be announced at the Graeme Clark Oration on Tuesday, 12 July 2022, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Should schools have any questions regarding the award, please direct this to admin@gtac.edu.au