EDUC3001 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education

This topic provides students with an opportunity to develop their capacity to contribute to the design and provision of high-quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Students will develop knowledge of the differences and similarities between the STEM disciplines and pedagogical strategies to enable all students to develop STEM related capabilities. Emphasis is placed on empowering students to design learning opportunities for primary school students which builds their knowledge and curiosity about STEM concepts and capacity to solve problems through harnessing and manipulating the world around them. This topic is designed to prepare students to demonstrate highly effective classroom teaching of STEM education and their impact on student learning.

This topic aims to:

• Develop pre-service teachers' understanding of the conceptual connections within and between the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines
• Develop pre-service teachers' capacity to contribute to the design and provision of high-quality STEM education
• Prepare students to demonstrate highly effective classroom teaching of STEM education and their impact on student learning

2. Articulate the significance of STEM education in the primary years and the challenges faced in the enactment of innovative education practice
4. Explain the differences and similarities between the STEM related learning areas of the Australian Curriculum relevant to the primary years
6. Demonstrate a capacity to purposefully and creatively plan STEM curriculum and orchestrate learning opportunities relevant to the primary years utilising the key principles of real-world contexts; inquiry-based learning; design-based learning and cooperative learning
8. Demonstrate knowledge of pedagogical strategies to promote quality engagement and retention appropriate to specific groups of learners who are currently less likely to engage in STEM education and are at higher risk of not developing high capabilities in STEM-related skills
10. Locate, evaluate and draw on a wider range of age-appropriate and relevant education resources, including ICT that engage students in STEM learning
12. Design assessments and interpret and use assessment data from a broad range of sources to inform planning and teaching
14. Explain the rationale underpinning their approach to STEM education
16. Plan strategies to evidence, evaluate and improve the impact of their teaching on individual students
18. Critically reflect on the development of their STEM education knowledge, understanding and skills and identify goals, strategies and resources to continue their professional learning