The 2026 Brilliant Futures STEM Camp brought together 40 Year 8 Brilliant Futures students, 15 STEM Mentors, and QAHS staff for an engaging and memorable weekend of STEM learning, innovation, and collaboration at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, Runaway Bay.
Throughout the weekend, students participated in a range of hands-on experiences designed to foster curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Highlights of the program included the “Ocean Soup" environmental workshop delivered through the Jacobs Well Environmental Education Centre, where students explored marine ecosystems, investigated plankton, and engaged in water quality monitoring activities through authentic scientific fieldwork.
Students also participated in the Solar Boats challenge through the Numinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre, where they designed, built, and tested solar-powered boats while exploring concepts including buoyancy, propulsion, solar energy, and scientific inquiry. Through experimentation and testing, students investigated how modifying variables influenced boat performance and developed their understanding of energy transfer and engineering design.
The Brilliant Futures Innovation Challenge provided students with a collaborative STEM design experience inspired by real-world problem solving. Working in teams and supported by QAHS STEM Mentors, students explored challenges relevant to young people and developed innovative STEM-based solutions.
As students prepare for their Brilliant Futures graduation and final poster presentation event, the camp also featured a poster development and research workshop focused on brainstorming, investigative design, and the development of research questions. Students worked collaboratively to refine ideas, explore investigative pathways, and build confidence in planning and communicating their projects.
Beyond the formal STEM workshops, the camp featured a range of structured team-building and leadership activities designed to strengthen collaboration and connection among students. Activities including Human Bingo, the Marshmallow and Spaghetti Challenge, alongside recreational team activities taking advantage of the on-site sporting facilities, encouraged students to build friendships, develop confidence, and work together in a supportive environment.
The success of the Brilliant Futures STEM Camp reflects the strong sense of community within QAHS and the commitment of staff and student leaders to providing meaningful enrichment opportunities.
Special thanks go to Mr Patrick Emery for his significant support and supervision of the program. I would also like to acknowledge the support of our QAHS teaching staff team, including Mr Dion Obst (Head of Department – Global Connect), Ms Vanessa Rebgetz (Principal), Ms Leena Pelekar, and Ms Pamela Curtin, whose supervision and support helped ensure a safe, engaging, and successful camp experience for students. Many thanks to Mrs Jo Parks for her administrative support, which contributed to the smooth coordination and delivery of the program
The camp was further strengthened by the contribution of our Year 11 STEM Mentors, who supported activities across the weekend and worked alongside Brilliant Futures students through mentoring, teamwork, and the Innovation Challenge and research development workshops. Their enthusiasm, leadership, and willingness to support younger students helped create a welcoming and positive camp environment.
Carrie Lovitt
Brilliant Futures Coordinator