Excellence in early STEM education recognised across Australia connect with school, culture and community

Little Scientists Australia has announced the National, State and Territory Winners of the  2026 Little Scientists Early STEM Education Awards, celebrating excellence in inquiry based STEM education for children aged 0–8 years. 

The biennial Awards are Australia's only national awards dedicated exclusively to  excellence in early STEM education. 

The 2026 Awards marked the biggest and most competitive year in the program's  history, attracting more nominations from across Australia than ever before. Following a  rigorous shortlisting process, finalists were assessed by an independent judging  panel comprising Dr Jo Grimmond, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at  Charles Sturt University, Wendy Gorman, early childhood education expert and Little  Scientists trainer, and Catherine Healy, Acting Assistant Director, STEM Team, Australian  Government Department of Education. 

Little Scientists Project Director Emma McGarrity said the exceptional standard of  nominations demonstrated the growing strength of and investment in inquiry-based  STEM education in Australia's early learning settings. 

“This year we received more nominations than ever before and the quality was  exceptional. Many of the highest-scoring projects were separated by just half a  point, demonstrating the remarkable standard of early STEM education taking place  across Australia, and what is possible when educators are supported to embed  inquiry-based STEM into everyday practice. 

“The Awards showcase that exceptional early STEM education isn't about expensive  equipment. It's about giving educators the knowledge and confidence to transform  children's natural curiosity into rich opportunities for inquiry, creativity, critical thinking,  and problem-solving.”

The Awards recognise excellence across two categories. 

The Excellence in Early STEM Education Award celebrates inquiry-based STEM projects  co-developed with children over an extended period, while the Outstanding Early STEM  Champion Award recognises individual educators who have been nominated by their  peers for their early STEM teaching and ongoing contribution to high-quality STEM  education within their learning communities. 

National Winners 

Excellence in Early STEM Education Award 

Spotted Frog Kindergarten (NSW) received the National Award for its 12- week project, "Can colours mix without actually mixing?”. Children investigated optical  blending, reflection and perception through experiments using layered celmix, jelly,  spinning discs, light projections and pointillism, ultimately discovering that colours can  sometimes appear to change without physically combining. 

Outstanding Early STEM Champion Award 

Lisa Brennan, Early Childhood Educator and Preschool Room Leader at Spotted Frog  Kindergarten (NSW), was recognised as the National Outstanding Early STEM Champion  for her exceptional leadership in fostering inquiry-based STEM learning and empowering  children to lead their own investigations. She was nominated by Fiona Parsons, Owner and Director of Spotted Frog Kindergarten. 

State and Territory Winners 

Excellence in Early STEM Education Award 

• National: Spotted Frog Kindergarten 

o Project: Can colours mix without actually mixing?  

• NT: Zuccoli Village Early Learners 

o Project: What do plants need to grow & what happens if they do not get  those needs?  

• QLD: C&K Carindale Community Kindergarten 

o Project: What treasures have we discovered in the playground & how can we  investigate them? 

• TAS: Bagdad Education & Care 

o Project: With windy weather, our kite, just might, take flight!  

• VIC: Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School – Kindergarten 

o Project: What is so special about worms?  

• WA: Ruth Landau Harp Early Learning 

o Project: How can we help Mr. Hippo to come down safely?  

• ACT: iV Learning 

o Project: Can we see what grows on our hands? 

Outstanding Early STEM Champion Award 

• National Winner (NSW): Lisa Brennan, Early Childhood Educator & Preschool  Room Leader, Spotted Frog Kindergarten  

• Northern Territory Winner: Tara Finlay, Senior Teacher Early Years, Larapinta  Primary and Preschool  

• Queensland Winner: Melanie Armstrong, STEM Teacher, Scenic Shores State  School  

• South Australia Winner: Tracy Beljon, STEM Teacher (Foundation to Year 2), Port  Lincoln Junior Primary School  

• Tasmania Winner: Monica Edwards, Program Facilitator, GreenSTEM Education  

• Victoria Winner: Franziska Kruse, Early Childhood Teacher, Froebel Fitzroy North  Early Learning Centre  

• Western Australia Winner: Dayani Lee, Early Childhood Teacher, Karrinyup Early  Learning Centre