Legislative Council, Tuesday 29 October 2024

Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I am delighted to speak today about a high-achieving teacher for my electorate who embodies dedication, innovation, and the true spirit of teaching: Daniel Edwards, the 2024 recipient of the Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools.

Daniel received this award for his transformative approach to teaching science, technology, engineering, and maths, or STEM, and the way in which he fostered engagement and achievement to students of all abilities and backgrounds at none other than Montello Primary School.

Daniel was presented with the award by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Industry and Science on 8 October at a reception at the Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra.

Daniel teaches prep to grade 6 students at Montello Primary and also gives much of his own time to after hours classes. He also works at Parklands High School. In addition to his teaching commitments, he is the founder of Green STEM Education, which is the state's first STEM education focused charity to help provide equitable access and learning opportunities for young people and the wider community, especially those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Through Green STEM, Daniel launched the Green Power Tasmania program, challenging students to design, build, and race electric vehicles at Montello Primary as Australia's first school in this international competition. Additionally, he established STEM Unlimited, a free weekly after school club in Burnie Community House, to bring hands on STEM activities to all students in Burnie and the surrounding regions.

As members would know, Montello is a low socio economic area with high unemployment. Daniel's goal is to create pathways from primary school to the workforce. This passion has helped to generate a cultural shift in Montello's student engagement and achievement. In a recent interview, he said we are looking at 90 per cent of all jobs within the next five years requiring STEM skills and, regardless of whether young people are going to STEM fields specifically, these are skills that set them up to live fulfilling and successful lives no matter what they do.

Daniel's journey as a teacher at Montello Primary School began as a general classroom teacher. His passion for STEM was obvious, however, and it soon saw him become Montello's first specialist STEM teacher. In that role, he was able to develop the school's make a space room to provide new opportunities for students to engage in STEM activities.

He has since coached teams from the school and to the finals of prestigious state, national, and international STEM challenges, including the top three Tasmanian teams in the Australian Tech Girls competition and the Asia Pacific winner of Micro:Bit's 'Do your :Bit' challenge. He has hosted STEM expos, volunteered as a judge for the National STEM Video Game Challenge, and the international MakeX Spark Robotics competition, and presented on best practices in STEM education at state and national conferences.

Daniel's many awards speak to his dedication and influence, including the Tasmania STEM Primary Teacher of the Year Award in 2021, selection as the 2022 Tasmanian finalist in the BHP Science and Engineering Teacher Awards, and recognition as a 2022 Schools Plus Teaching Fellow.

Other awards include, in 2022, Commended for Excellence in Science Teaching at the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science; in 2023, National Excellence in Teaching, and Primary Educator of the Year by Design for the Design and Technology Teachers Association, Victoria; and in 2024, Toyota Community Trust STEM Teacher Scholarship and the ACEL Tas Teacher Leadership Award. He is also one of only two Tasmanian teachers to be recognised by the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) Foundation, winning the Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching last year, which included a $5000 professional development grant.

Montello Primary School's Dion McCall said Mr Edwards had helped build an inspiring and empowering culture at the school.

Mr McCall said:

'Mr Edwards facilitates opportunities for upper primary students to drive their own learning, to solve real problems of interest and concern to them.'

One example of this involves the Young Leaders of Tasmania, where he supported students to develop functional assistive technology and a 3D printed deodorant holder for a student with a disability. This initiative goes beyond teaching students about science and technology. It instils empathy, problem solving skills, and a sense of social responsibility. It shows how Daniel's teaching extends far beyond textbooks and tests. It is about shaping well-rounded individuals who can approach the world with a sense of purpose.

Dion also said:

Daniel has built a culture of exploration and empowerment in the school. He encourages his students to believe that STEM can open doors to limitless opportunities. He fosters a learning environment where students are not merely passive recipients of information, but active participants in their own education. By allowing his students to drive their own learning and focus on real world issues that matter to them, Daniel has created a space where creativity and inquiry thrive.

Former principal, Denise Witherspoon, who saw the absolute potential in Daniel, said:

I couldn't be prouder of Daniel winning the Prime Minister's Primary Science Teacher of the Year. His journey over the last four years is nothing short of incredible. Finding it difficult to cover all areas of the curriculum in his classroom practice when his passion was in STEM, the decision to make him the STEM leader in the school was definitely the right one. Students at Montello have won state, national, and international competitions due to his passion and drive. He is an example of what can happen when the right place is found. I only wish that he had better facilities to expand the wonderful work he has done and he does.

Daniel's success as a teacher is evident in the accomplishments of his students. Through his guidance, students at Montello Primary School have competed and triumphed in STEM competitions at all levels. Four of his students from underrepresented groups were recognised as CSIRO Future Shapers in 2023. Some of Daniel's former students have a video game that they created on display as part of a permanent exhibition in the Design Gallery at the Young VNA Museum in London. These achievements are a testament to his ability to motivate students to reach their full potential.

He has proven that STEM education can be a vehicle for social change and personal empowerment, and that teachers can shape the future by equipping students with the skills they need to navigate, and improve, the world around them, recognising the role that educators play in shaping that future.

I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Daniel Edwards for this prestigious recognition. His work has inspired his students and colleagues, and now an entire nation. We look forward to seeing the continued impact he will have and we are excited for all the future scientists, engineers, and innovators who will emerge thanks to his guidance.

Daniel says of himself:

It is an honour to work with and empower the future change makers of the world and represent public education. I want to keep furthering these opportunities for young people all across the country, no matter what school they're attending or what school they're in. I am from a small school in Burnie where STEM empowers the students to believe they can achieve anything and they can be anything.

Thank you, Daniel Edwards for your absolute commitment to teaching and to the youth of our community.