08/09/2026
Burnie IGNITE brought students from Grades 5 through 12 together tonight to show off a year’s worth of curiosity, and the standard was extraordinary.
This event is the only one of its kind in Tasmania, built by GreenSTEM Education on the legacy of the UTAS Science & Engineering Awards and the BIG Science Fair. Investigations, engineering projects, digital creations, real solutions to real problems, all designed and built by young people right here in the North West.
Watching the awards handed out tonight, what struck me most was the range. Kids tackling climate questions, robotics, health science, pure creative experimentation, all in the same room.
Burnie City Council is proud to be part of making this possible alongside Inspiring Tasmania, Burnie Works and everyone else behind IGNITE.
Congratulations to all the award recipients. To the parents and teachers who support these young people and encourage them to never stop asking questions.
This is what our future looks like, and it’s pretty bright.