STEM Central puts regional communities at the heart of national award win
CQUniversity’s STEM Central has been recognised for its impact in regional education, winning the Community Centric Award at the 2026 Australian Rural Education Awards (AREAs), coordinated by the Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA).
The award recognises a person, project or organisation that has placed a regional, rural and remote (RRR) community at its centre.
The awards are a national platform recognising excellence, innovation, partnership and impact in rural education.
CQUniversity’s STEM Central Lead Associate Professor Pfeiffer said the SPERA recognition reflected the collaborative nature of STEM Central’s work.
“This award recognises the combined efforts of the team and the support of the community. It truly takes a village and we are very proud to have received this.”
She said the success of STEM Central came from working side-by-side with communities.
“STEM Central is about creating learning opportunities with our communities, not just for our communities.
“The strength of the work comes from bringing together schools, Traditional Owners, industry, community organisations and CQUniversity to create experiences that are meaningful, place-based and relevant to local needs.”
Established in 2018 through a partnership with Australia Pacific LNG, operated downstream by ConocoPhillips, STEM Central was created to address STEM capability gaps in regional, rural and remote communities through hands-on learning, community engagement and teacher development.
STEM Central has delivered programs across schools and the wider community, with its flagship Buraligim Weiber (Place of Learning) program demonstrating the impact of putting local knowledge, culture and community partnerships at the heart of education.
The 20-week program was co-designed by CQUniversity academics, educators, community organisations, Traditional Owners and industry.
Year Four students explore local sustainability, culture and places of significance through learning mapped to the Australian Curriculum, with stakeholders continually working together to refine the program.
Assoc Prof Pfeiffer said what began as a program for First Nations students has evolved into an initiative delivered to Year Four students at two Gladstone schools, with the program receiving an Education Queensland Showcase Award in 2023.
The latest award comes as STEM Central continues to expand its reach, with CQUniversity recently marking seven years of the facility and launching the STEM Central Collaborative to support its long-term impact.
The STEM Central Collaborate is a combination of funding from existing partner Australia Pacific LNG, operate downstream by ConocoPhillips, and additional partners Santos and Shell QGC who have come on board from 2026 – 2028.
Through its continuing partnerships, STEM Central is on track to reach its 10-year milestone in 2028, with a focus on strengthening educational opportunities and community outcomes across regional Queensland.
