For Alice Leung, teaching isn’t just a job, and science isn’t simply a subject.

Combine the two, and it’s a passion, a mission and a means of inspiring the next generation of educators and scientists.

“I’m a very curious person and that’s why I love science. My passion for science teaching started when I was very young, and my high school science teacher inspired me to become a science teacher,” Ms Leung said.

Her work at Concord High School has been recognised with one of the top awards available to teachers in Australia – the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.

“I’m extremely humbled,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to promote the importance of science teaching. Without teachers, we wouldn’t have our next generation of scientists.”

Ms Leung stands out for her innovative teaching methods that make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for all students.

By integrating real-world issues like ecology, food security, and health into her curriculum, she brings abstract ideas to life.

“I aim to make science as fun as possible for my students,” she said.

“One of the best things about teaching is when you inspire your students to become teachers themselves, especially science teachers.”

Concord High principal Victor Newby describes Ms Leung as an outstanding teacher and a worthy recipient of the award.

“Ms Leung is a positive, engaged and inspirational leader across our school and more broadly across the scientific community,” Mr Newby said.

“She has been a vital part of our whole school professional learning team.”

A strong advocate for inclusivity in education, Ms Leung is particularly passionate about promoting STEM opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

At Concord High School, where approximately 70 per cent of students come from non-English speaking backgrounds, she’s developed programs that help them access and understand technical scientific vocabulary, ensuring that every student can thrive in the STEM field.

“When my family migrated to Sydney when I was three, it didn't matter that they were unfamiliar with Australia's education system, they were confident I would receive the best education because they enrolled me in the local public school,” she recalls.

Beyond her classroom, Ms Leung extends her impact by providing resources and support to fellow educators both at her school and across the nation.

Collaborating with experts from government, industry, and academia, she works tirelessly to equip teachers with the tools and knowledge needed to inspire their own students in STEM.