Register Your Interest for the Naturally Brave Natural Disaster Resilience 2026 QLD Program

Queensland primary schools are invited to submit an expression of interest to participate in the 2026 Naturally Brave program.

Following successful programs in 2023-2025, Bushfire Kids Connect, Makers Empire and Growing With Gratitude are joining forces again in 2026 to a pioneering and engaging program designed to promote awareness of natural disasters and encourage resilience and empathy in students.

The Naturally Brave Learning by Design program will be delivered up to 20 Primary Schools in 2026.

The project is funded by the Australian Government National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Disaster Ready Funding (DRF) 2023/2024. This opportunity is limited so register your school’s expression of interest today.

Naturally Brave Project Aims

● Help students understand their highest potential disaster risk in their local community context and create a ‘disaster reduction risk action plan’ responsive to their location.

● Help students to be well-informed and understand why natural disasters happen, how they are controlled and their impact on the environment in QLD. They explore approaches to disaster management that promote sustainability, including First Nations land management and approaches to disaster resilience.

● Support students’ emotional wellbeing through the exploration of 5 key wellbeing concepts: gratitude, empathy, ownership, self-awareness and kindness and service to others. These concepts and associated skills support students to build resilience and better prepare for and manage challenging times such as natural disasters.

● Empower students as problem solvers and creative designers who can make a difference in their families’ lives. Students will use the design thinking, a problem-solving methodology, and 3D design, to design something that might help a family who is impacted by a natural disaster. Their design solution could help before or after a natural disaster.

What Do Schools Receive?

Selected schools will be awarded a package worth a total of $8,500 comprising:
1 or more teachers will participate in the Makers Empire Learning By Design program
1 x 12 months Makers Empire School Subscription (3D design software, teacher dashboard, 130 curriculum-aligned lesson plans, built-in assessment, professional development (PD), ongoing support, updates and maintenance).
Access to the Naturally Brave Challenge Course in the Makers Empire 3D App. challenge course.
1 x Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro 3D printer, 3 rolls of PLA filament, support, training ands shipping.
Hospitality for PD days and Showcase Days
12-month subscription to the Growing With Gratitude fully resourced online program, which includes lessons, activities, games, display posters and more to help support student wellbeing.
A copy of Growing With Gratitude: Building Resilience, Happiness & Mental Wellbeing in Our Schools & Homes for each staff member of a school.

What Do Schools Commit To?

Each participating school will:

Provide release for 1.5 days for 1 or more participating classroom teachers (not IT technicians or non-teaching staff).
Project to start with teachers attending 1 face-to-face professional learning day in Term 2 (schools cover TRT expenses). Students will then commence the project in Term 4. Project completion with teachers and students attending a Showcase Day in Term 4 (schools arrange transport and cover TRT expenses).
Support capacity building of teachers through facilitation of ‘flow-on’ professional learning at their sites.

Participating teachers will:

Attend 1 face-to-face professional learning day in your state in term 2
Participate in professional learning communities.
Year 3-6 students complete a ready-made, in-app Challenge Course – approx. 4-5 lessons. The Challenge Course is based around Natural Disaster awareness and wellness.
Attend, with nominated students, the Showcase Day (1/2 day) in Term 4 in your state.
Participate in data collection and share their learning experiences with others.

Register Your Expression of Interest Now

Fill out the form below to register your interest for this program. Early bird registration of interests are now open, get in early!

This project runs in terms 2-4, 2026.

Early expressions of interest close Friday, December 5th, 2025.