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22/6/25
STEM Punks
PNG Teachers STEM Tour Ignites Futures in Australia
A Journey of Discovery, Collaboration, and Future-Focused Learning
Over three transformative days, STEM Punks had the profound honour of hosting a passionate group of educators from Paradise College, Papua New Guinea, on an immersive STEM Tour across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Designed to spark inspiration, build capability, and strengthen vital education-industry links, the tour showcased best practices in STEM education through hands-on workshops, insightful school visits, and collaborative events.
Day 1 – Creativity, Code & Industry Insight
The tour kicked off with a jam-packed day of creative, hands-on STEM experiences. The PNG educators enthusiastically explored interactive tools like Makey Makey, using conductive materials to build physical circuits, games, and even musical instruments – all designed to bring coding and electronics to life in accessible ways. This session highlighted how complex concepts can be demystified through playful, engaging activities.
Participants then dove into Minecraft Education, applying design thinking principles to create sustainable digital cities and solve community challenges through collaborative play. This demonstrated the power of virtual environments in fostering innovation and problem-solving.
The afternoon featured a powerful industry visit to Komatsu Australia's Innovation Centre. Here, the group gained firsthand insights into smart mining technologies, automation, and the future of heavy industry. These crucial connections helped bridge the gap between theoretical classroom learning and real-world workforce pathways, illustrating the practical application of STEM skills in a leading industry context.
"Hosting the Paradise College teachers from PNG has been an incredibly rewarding experience. These international education partnerships are vital, creating a two-way street of learning and collaboration."
Day 2 – STEM in Action at Unity College
The kindness and generosity of our Australian educational community was on full display at Unity College Caloundra. Olivia Augustakis and her dedicated team curated a full-day experience across both primary and secondary settings, offering a warm and insightful welcome to our PNG delegation.
PNG educators toured vibrant maker spaces, sat in on STEM-rich lessons, and engaged in deep pedagogical exchanges with Unity’s teaching staff. The college’s evident commitment to student agency, environmental connectedness, and collaborative learning resonated strongly, providing tangible examples of innovative teaching in action. This visit underscored how dynamic STEM education thrives when educators embrace curiosity, trial new ideas, and co-create learning with students. Chris Buswell, STEM Punks’ Head of Education, says:
"Hosting the Paradise College teachers from PNG has been an incredibly rewarding experience. These international education partnerships are vital, creating a two-way street of learning and collaboration. Witnessing their enthusiasm as they explored new pedagogical approaches, engaged with industry leaders, and participated in conferences like 'It Takes a Spark' truly highlights the long-lasting impact of quality STEM education. It's about building global communities of practice, ensuring that educators everywhere have the tools and inspiration to equip the next generation for a future driven by innovation."
Day 3 – It Takes a Spark: Igniting Connections
The tour culminated at the It Takes a Spark STEM Conference, held at the Islamic School of Brisbane. This event brought teachers and students together in a vibrant celebration of inquiry, creativity, and future thinking. STEM Punks’ own Chris Buswell, Elanna Diwell, and Jackie Child facilitated engaging workshops and exhibits, while the PNG team connected with innovators from across the state. Special thanks go to Dr. Adrian Bertolini, Rachel Manneke-Jones, and Yang'en Xu for inviting our delegation to participate and share ideas at this inspiring event.
It was also a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with key figures in the broader STEM education community, including Brett Salakas, Adrian Rayner, Alex Furey, Damien Kee, and Allyson Starky, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and best practices.
Looking Forward
STEM Punks is immensely proud to be building a strong foundation for long-term collaboration between STEM educators across the Asia-Pacific region. This tour reinforces our commitment to expanding access to quality STEM learning, and we eagerly look forward to the upcoming PNG STEM Conference in Port Moresby this October, where these invaluable connections will continue to grow.
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