Passionate student recognised at the Youth Awards

A Perth Modern student won a WA Youth Award for his passion and dedication to community service and sustainability.

Year 11 student Alexander Hart won the ECU Action Award at the 2026 Youth Awards.

The award recognises young people who are making a difference across technology, arts, science, innovation or community, and have the courage to take action to create positive change.

Alexander’s volunteer work protecting the local environment and mentoring students at school was acknowledged, along with his advocacy for young people at the WA Youth Parliament and during WA Youth Week.

The award also highlighted his success in the NASA Space Apps Challenge and Future Lego League STEM competitions.

Alexander said he was surprised to win against all the other amazing nominees.

“I was fortunate enough to win it,” he said.

“I was absolutely overjoyed after I received the award.

“I didn’t plan to apply for this award or aim for it ahead of time, I just followed my passions and did what interested me.

“But getting recognised with such a cool award is wonderful.

“I think students and young people are the future. If we help develop a culture and society that cares more about these vital topics, our future together will be much brighter.

“Any action, no matter the size or scale, is bound to help some people, whether that be in your local community or more broadly."

Alexander and his team created a website and app to track and calculate bushfire risks for the NASA Space Apps Challenge.

He said it was a great experience to use his STEM knowledge and education to create something unique and relevant.

“It uses open-source NASA data, such as ground temperature, thermal anomalies, vegetation health and crop data to predict bushfires and how they might move,” he said.

“We put that data into an app, made a website, and designed an ideal satellite for this role.

“Bushfires are a very real issue that plague many parts of Western Australia and the world, so trying to figure out a way which could help prevent some is very nice.

“I’ve always been passionate about the environment on a broader scale – I think climate change is a very large, looming issue but taking action on a more local scale is an easier first step.”

Perth Modern principal, Mitch Mackay, said Alexander’s award was an outstanding achievement and a reflection of his dedication, initiative and leadership.

“What is particularly impressive is the breadth of his contribution, from environmental volunteering and youth advocacy to STEM innovation and community leadership,” he said.

“Whether developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges, representing the voices of young people or volunteering in the community, he shows that leadership comes through action.

“His example encourages other students to get involved, take initiative and recognise that their contributions, no matter how large or small, can have a positive impact.

“We are incredibly proud of what he has achieved and look forward to seeing the impact he continues to make in the future.”

Learn more about the winners on the YACWA website.