Brisbane student wins international science prize after prestigious Qld award

A year 12 student from Brisbane’s northside is leading the way in the STEM field inspiring other young women to follow their passion after taking out a prestigious international science award.

A Queensland student has blown away competitors from more than 40 countries to take out an international science award.

Tiarna McElligott took out the top gong for secondary schools at the Global Link China Pasteur Cup International science competition, all while running her own business and completing Year 12 studies.

The 17-year-old is a confident, intelligent young woman who owns and operates her own business, IntelVest, based on Brisbane’s northside.

The Year 12 student’s passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics has led her to incredible heights already, despite her young age.

“What do I not love about it,” Miss McElligott said with a laugh when asked why she decided to pursue the STEM field.

“I like being able to discover something and I very much love puzzle solving, I have always loved puzzles.

“To be able to have a problem or a puzzle that I can figure out what it is.

“Within the maths science part of it, figuring out the answer and solving the puzzle of an equation is really good.

“With science, it tells you how the world actually works, you can figure out how things work and use that to figure out other things.”

Murrumba State Secondary College year 12 student Tiarna McElligott has taken out an international science competition.

Only three schools in the state were invited to enter the worldwide competition by Education Queensland International, with Murrumba State Secondary College the only high school.

Hundreds of students representing 40 schools entered projects in the competition.

Miss McElligott had to submit a written report in July before presenting her findings and answering questions online – all in front of a panel of scientists from the Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

It’s not the first accolade the teen has picked up this year, after winning a Peter Doherty Stem Award last month.

The awards celebrate the life and ongoing work of Brisbane-born Nobel prize-winning scientist, Professor Peter Doherty.

Murrumba State Secondary College year 12 student Tiarna McElligott has taken out an international science competition.

Education Minister Grace Grace praised the award winners, whose efforts have earned them each a $5000 prize.

“If ever there was a moment to be acknowledging our young scientists and encouraging them to continue on their path towards a STEM career, this must be it,” she said.

“STEM education is vital to the future success of our state.

“The number of jobs in STEM fields is growing at more than twice the rate of other industries and occupations.”

“I hope this award will encourage our budding young scientists to maintain their passion for STEM.”

Miss McElligott is now focused on study and preparing for her external exams.

“It’s studying and getting ready for externals, which I’m kind of excited for but very nervous for,” she said.

She’s hoping to continue her studies and her business, all while inspiring young women to get involved in the STEM fields.

“I’ve applied for a Bachelor of Advanced science at University of Queensland,’ Miss McElligott said.

“(I want to get involved with) further study and research programs but I also want to continue working on my business.

“And continue with debating – I love that and want to keep doing that through uni as well.”