CQUniversity’s STEM Central facility (led by Associate Professor Linda Pfeiffer) was established in 2018 in partnership with Australia Pacific LNG, operate downstream by ConocoPhillips to address STEM capability gaps in regional, rural and remote (RRR) communities and improving liveability by providing a dedicated hub for contemporary, hands-on learning, community engagement and teacher development. Among its flagship initiatives is the Buraligim Weiber (place of learning) program, which demonstrates how partnerships can deliver meaningful student outcomes through a community of praxis model. Buraligim Weiber was co-designed by academics, educators, community organisations, Traditional Owners, and industry. Year 4 students participate in 20 weekly learning sessions linked to local sustainability and places of significance, mapped to the Australian Curriculum. Stakeholders collaborate, reflect and share knowledge to continuously refine learning experiences, ensuring the program remains culturally authentic, place-based and aligned with community priorities. The program evolved from a pilot for First Nations students to an award-winning model now delivered to all Year 4 students at two schools. In 2023, Gladstone West State School received the Education Queensland Showcase Award for excellence in embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the primary classroom. Through multi-partner agreements, STEM Central will reach the ten-year milestone in 2028 and continue to strengthen outcomes in RRR community

Winner 2026 Category: Recognition of a person/project/organisation who have placed a RRR community at its’ centre
www.cqu.edu.au/stemcentral