DECD have just released their STEM strategy for the next three years. Below are some of the key points from the document.
- “We know that 75% of the fastest growing occupations now require STEM skills and knowledge.” Hon Susan Close MP, Minister for Education and Child Development
- “It is imperative that South Australian STEM education provides every student with the chance to develop the capabilities they will need, as our future innovators and problem-solvers.” Hon Susan Close MP Minister for Education and Child Development
- The economic case for STEM is clear. Between 2006 and 2011 in Australia, the number of people in positions requiring STEM qualifications grew 1.5 times faster than all other occupation groups.
- There is a growing need for the broad skills that are fostered through STEM education: “critical thinking and problem-solving, analytic capabilities, curiosity and imagination have all been identified as critical ‘survival skills’ in the workplace of the future.”
- The South Australian Government has invested $250m to provide new infrastructure for 139 schools to improve STEM learning in modern, flexible spaces.
- All South Australians, regardless of where they live, should have access to the opportunities of the future.
- By 2020 there will be 500 primary teachers with a STEM specialisation.
- Preschool leaders and teachers will have access to new STEM teaching resources from 2017.
- South Australian teachers will use a new approach to learning design, assessment and moderation for STEM education from 2017.
- Professional learning resources will be available from 2017.
- A ‘STEM play’ initiative will be established within all DECD preschools from 2017 to 2020.
- All schools with secondary enrolments will have a STEM career strategy, linked to local primary schools and supported by links with business and industry as appropriate.
- All schools and preschools will have a STEM learning focus.
- 5% increase in the number of students who participate in SACE Stage 1 and Stage 2 STEM subjects.
- All schools with year 1 to 10 enrolments use the new Standard of Educational Achievement (SEA) to measure STEM subject achievement and inform practice.
This is only a selection of the points made in the DECD strategy paper. To read the full document click here.
Where is PBAS heading for the remainder of this year and into 2017?
- Joelene and Allan are attending a STEM conference this term run by the South Australian Science Teachers Association.
- I am attending the Area Schools Conference which will have a STEM focus including school visits on Monday week 6 this term.
- Kelly, Sarah and Tresia are attending “Little Bang Discovery Club” training this term with the aim of running STEM based activities for preschool aged children.
- Major redevelopment of existing spaces to support the teaching of STEM will continue in 2017. Current proposals have been put on hold to allow for further research and a deeper understanding of how we can best provide for our students.
- The Digital Technologies Australian Curriculum achievement standards and content descriptors are being matched with supporting technologies that will help teachers address the achievement standard. This document will be shared with relevant staff before the end of term 4.
- In 2017 teachers will be expected to develop STEM based projects in their classrooms.
- While we are looking to improve the delivery of STEM at PBAS there are plenty of activities that we currently do that support STEM. The following are some examples of what I have seen happening:
- Year 6 students participated in the primary science challenge in Port Pirie coming equal first.
- Year 7/8 English students using an iPad, iMovie and green screen technology to create a 60 Minutes interview.
- Year 5/6 students creating solar powered vehicles in design technologies.
- Year 1/2 students programming Bee Bots to solve simple problems.
- Year 3/4 students undertaking a maths and the Olympics project.
- The Reception Year 1 class have propagated their own vegetable garden.
It is important that we begin to consider how we will further support learning and engagement in the sciences, math and technology based subjects. What will our contribution be?