STEM Academy aims for innovations in teaching

A group of high school teachers have headed back to university to brush up on their skills in core subjects: maths, science, engineering and technology. The STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy for science, technology, engineering and mathematics is being run by the University of Sydney. It has enrolled 64 participants. The program aims to lift the standards in STEM subjects. Participating teachers from metropolitan and regional schools – and from the public and private sectors – will explore cutting-edge discoveries and emerging technologies, and engage with STEM innovations the university has pioneered. “We really need as many students switched on to those subjects as we can get, we need them pursuing it in university, we need them going on to careers,” Dr Chris Stewart director, STEM Academy said. “We have schools becoming involved with us as partner schools from across the public, private, independent and Catholic sectors.” He said the program is targeted towards teachers who are keen to upgrade their skills and knowledge in subjects that are changing all the time. “What we are doing in this program is demonstrating real student-centred approaches in the classrooms, ways the teachers can work with the students directly [on] new and innovative approaches – to do hands-on science in the classroom, rather than from the textbook,” Stewart said. Professor Diane Mayer, dean of the faculty of education and social work, said the contribution from three different faculties is exciting. “The faculty of education and social work has a longstanding reputation for producing outstanding science and maths teachers and we look forward to sharing that expertise with the wider teaching community,” Mayer said. Dean of the faculty of engineering and information technologies, Archie Johnston, said he was excited to be able to inspire a team of cross-faculty academic experts to deliver a world-class STEM teacher enrichment program. “Given that 75 percent of the fastest-growing occupations require significant STEM skills, it is vital for Australia to improve our participation in and uptake of STEM subjects at school,” Johnston said.