Science and technology is mandatory for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
In science and technology, students explore the natural and made worlds. They learn how to apply scientific and technological skills, knowledge and understanding across a broad range of contexts.
Science provides a way of inquiring about the world around us. It explores evidence and investigates ways to discover, develop and produce solutions to real world problems. The inquiry and skill-based nature of science opens doors to ideas and discoveries.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are essential areas of study that foster students’ skills and prepare them to participate in a rapidly changing world and contribute to Australia’s future development and prosperity.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is supporting the integration of STEM learning in schools by providing programming advice to teachers and by developing practical, hands-on teaching and learning units and classroom activities that allow students to integrate their knowledge from the four STEM disciplines.
Teachers generally find STEM classroom very busy places, as students work independently towards solving a challenge, or answering the focus question for a particular unit of work.
The teacher's role becomes that of a facilator, co-learner, guide and one of many resources available to students.
The STEMShare Library is a brilliant resource, enabling small school the opportunity to borrow a variety of robotics kits for a term. The learning experiences are so well structured, that even teachers with limited robotics experience can enjoy success with their students. Hand-on experience such as this is awesome. The photos below were taken on Open Day when we shared our learning with the wider community.
