Indigenous education program wins Gladstone collaborators prestigious honours
A Central Queensland project to immerse Indigenous primary school students in science has earned state recognition at the at the Education Queensland Showcase Awards.
The Buraligim Weiber (A Place of Learning) program is a collaboration between Gladstone West State School and CQUniversity, funded by Australia Pacific LNG, operated downstream by ConocoPhillips.
Launched in 2021 for Years 3 and 4 First Nations students at the school, it’s now offered as a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), humanities and social sciences initiative for all Year 4s at Gladstone West.
The innovative project was one of nine to feature at Queensland’s most prestigious program for state education, the 2023 Showcase – Celebrating equity and excellence across state education dinner recently.
Watch the Showcase video here.
Buraligim Weiber was named joint winner in the Telstra Building on Foundations (Years 3-6) category, and the school has earnt a $20,000 bursary to reinvest in school improvement activities.
Buraligim Weiber students participate in 20 weekly activities at Australia Pacific LNG STEM Central at CQU Gladstone Marina, a state-of-the-art community learning facility.
STEM Central lead Associate Professor Linda Pfeiffer said the program also connects with land, sea and community.
“Students experience first-hand science alongside experts in their fields and Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples, including Byellee woman and artist Tricia Coleman,” A/Prof Pfieffer explained.
“They also get to participate with citizen science groups, to tackle issues of sustainability, while raising interest and awareness of STEM careers.”
The program is reviewed yearly, and CQUniversity research captures impacts for students and community.
Gladstone West Primary School Acting Principal Sarah Jacob said the win recognised big impacts for students.
“I am so proud of our Buraligim Weiber program and our work supporting First Nations students, and to receive the Showcase acknowledgement of the incredible work and dedication of our team is an absolute honour,” Ms Jacob said.
“Our partnership with CQUniversity and access to STEM Central has elevated this program immensely.
“We will continue to make a real difference for First Nations students in our local community through our partnership, and this will have a life-long positive impact and help us to ensure more positive outcomes for our First Nations students.”
Earlier this year, CQUniversity’s STEM Central received $18,700 from the Queensland Government’s Engaging Science Grants program to grow the Buraligim Weiber project, and improve engagement, literacy and school attendance across the region.
Learn more about STEM Central research, education and community engagement here.
