Mrs Paula Taylor received the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools.

Mrs Paula Taylor received the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools. 

It starts with you! Nominating a teacher acknowledges their achievements and encourages them to continue to excel in their work.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science teaching prizes recognise excellence in teaching in any area of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). 

Prize recipients receive a medallion and $250,000, national recognition and exposure to new opportunities and networks.

There are 2 science teaching prizes:

  • Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
  • Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.

We encourage nominations of candidates from a diverse background. Greater diversity offers a wide range of perspectives that strengthen the nation’s ability to solve scientific problems, drive innovation and address significant challenges.

Nominators get to spotlight the achievements of others, helping ensure their efforts are seen, valued and remembered. A nomination could change someone’s career, confidence or visibility.

Through their achievements, recipients will become important role models who inspire others in science teaching.

How to nominate 

You can nominate a teacher for a science teaching prize. You’ll need to complete the stage 1 nomination form by:

  • addressing all eligibility and assessment criteria
  • including the contact details of 2 supporters
  • providing an up-to-date CV for your nominee.

Who can nominate

The nominator must be someone personally knowledgeable of the nominee’s work. School principals or head of school must be involved as the nominator or supporter of the nominee. 

If the nominee is the principal, the nominator or supporter must be from the school leadership team or a counterpart in a government or non-government school authority. 

Who can be nominated

Nominees for the science teaching prizes must:

  • teach science, technology, engineering or mathematics, but do not need to be a specialist in these subject areas
  • be a registered teacher at a primary or secondary school listed on the Australian Schools List.

Nominate today

More information

Learn more about the prizes and past recipients