Teacher Zainab Ali leads Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) popular STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) program, which receives over 300 applications each year for a possible 84 student places.

Each year, students from different grades are challenged to design and build a solution to global issues using recycled materials.

From designing an eco-friendly, self-sustaining village specific to Scandinavia, to a place for young people experiencing homelessness in Queensland, students are challenged to work collaboratively to engage with real world issues, before presenting their work back to the school community.

“It’s a great task that challenges our students throughout. Not only do they research their chosen area, but they also learn to work as a team with other year levels,” Ms Ali said.

To encourage her students to bring a real-world perspective to a year 8 Science class on Geology, Ms Ali asked them to consider the effects of mining, culminating in a partnership with the school's African Liaison Officer, who spoke about the effects of mining in the Congo.

She said this opportunity allowed her to support students from African backgrounds as well as providing a window into other cultures for students.

“It helps them embrace diversity and realise that different perspectives have a great deal to offer. A global perspective promotes open-mindedness, leading to a predisposition to make a positive change,” she said.

Ms Ali says a highlight of her career was supporting four female students to apply for a prestigious Harding Miller Foundation Scholarship, which awards $20,000 to high achievers from low socio-economic backgrounds.

BPSSC was the only school in Australia to have all of its applicants successful, giving each of the students access to vital resources such as laptops, internet access and mentorship to help them achieve their goal of becoming the first in their family to go to university.

Locally, Ms Ali is committed to making BPSSC and the community more connected.

She collaborated with local organisations following the 2022 Brisbane floods to facilitate a barbecue fundraiser where STEAM students raised $1200 to assist families in an affected area.

The STEAM program also raised $500 for the Smith Family through a 'Cookies in a Jar' initiative, where students developed, tested, packaged and distributed a cookie recipe. Students then sold these jars at a local shopping centre.

“When students tackle an authentic need in the community it has a positive effect for all. Service learning must be for all,” she said.

“I want our students to participate in shaping a better shared future for the world.”

Ms Ali is a finalist at the Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX Awards, in the Excellence in Teaching category.

Winners will be announced October 27th, on the eve of World Teachers’ Day in Queensland.