For Katrina Dalglish, leading science at Clairvaux MacKillop College in Upper Mt Gravatt has meant helping students see where STEM could take them. Her work has helped increase female participation in STEM subjects at the college by 20 per cent.
As Curriculum Leader Science, Dalglish has focused particularly on young women who may not readily see themselves pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics beyond school.
Her approach has been to give students greater exposure to the possibilities available to them, while helping them develop the confidence to explore subjects and future pathways that match their strengths and ambitions.
Opening Doors Beyond Upper Mt Gravatt Classrooms
That work extends beyond the college gates.
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Dalglish has established connections with Griffith University’s STEM Ambassadors Program and the SuperGEMS Girls Engaged in Motorsport and STEM program, giving students opportunities to learn more about where their interests could lead.
Through those partnerships, students have access to industry professionals, hands-on learning experiences and insights into STEM-related careers.
For young women at the college, another part of the approach has been greater exposure to female role models in STEM. Clairvaux MacKillop College Principal Wayne Chapman linked that work, along with stronger industry connections, to more female students choosing STEM subjects and considering careers in related fields.
Dalglish has also sought to address the barriers that can arise when young women do not see enough people like themselves represented in STEM careers. Her focus has been on widening students’ awareness of their options and encouraging them to consider opportunities they might otherwise overlook.
The emphasis extends to all students, with Dalglish aiming to help young people pursue pathways suited to their individual interests and abilities, regardless of gender.
Student Opportunities Bring Wider Recognition
The work at the Upper Mt Gravatt college has also brought Dalglish recognition in 2026.
She was named an Excellence Awardee in the Department Head of the Year category at the Australian Education Awards.
Dalglish was also selected as a finalist in Brisbane Catholic Education’s NGS Super Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Secondary School category.
Chapman said her leadership had helped strengthen connections between classroom learning and the world beyond school, providing students with practical experiences and direct contact with people working in STEM fields.
Clairvaux MacKillop College is a co-educational Catholic secondary college, where STEM is also included among its broader co-curricular experiences.
Dalglish was among the finalists listed for the BCE Excellence Awards in August. Across the 2026 awards, 633 nominations were received from 116 schools and the BCE Office, with 127 individuals and 22 teams selected as finalists.
Published 18-August-2026
