About the BHP Foundation Science & Engineering Awards
In 1980 CSIRO, BHP Foundation, and the Australian Science Teachers’ Association collaborated to establish a national science talent search: the Science Awards.
This signalled the start of the relationship between BHP Foundation and CSIRO to provide STEM education programs that continues to this day.
In 2013, the program expanded to become the “BHP Foundation Science & Engineering Awards”, where students could enter a science inquiry or engineering project. Teachers would also be recognised for their contributions to supporting STEM education.
Each year, 20 students were selected to experience events such as STEM camps, mentoring, support in developing their projects and opportunities to enter other state, national and international STEM competitions.
In 2016, the Indigenous STEM Awards was added to the program to recognise Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and those that support them.
In 2022, the awards made way for a new program supported by CSIRO and BHP Foundation: STEM Together. It helps young people in Years 5-10 from under-represented groups in STEM to strengthen their confidence, capability, and connection with STEM.
