STEM X Academy – from a 2016 alumnus ( continued )
REPORTS
STEM X Academy – from a 2016 alumnus ( continued )
them as a basis for depth studies to equip our students with skills needed for jobs in the future .
Utilising Questacon ’ s activities , like fellow STEM-Xer Caroline Gregory , I have incorporated the use of Makey Makeys . She is a K-6 teacher , and is using these with year 6 . I have been using Makey Makey in the stage 4 circuits topic and during our stage 5 STEM class . The Makey Makey enabled my students to express their creativity in different ways , from testing the conductivity of different fruits and vegetables and different cooking utensils to creating an extra dimension to incorporate sound into artwork .
Many Alumni from different STEM-X years and backgrounds have been able to link up forming local networks , and also visit schools to keep each other on track , the teachers chosen from STEM-X , come from different science backgrounds and different teaching backgrounds . It has been beneficial in connecting both experienced and less experienced teachers . Establishing connections has been an asset , especially through social media . With the implementation of the Australian Curriculum , I am able to build programs , receive ideas and lesson hooks from teachers in Western Australia , Northern Territory and South Australia that have students with backgrounds and experiences similar to my students ’ rural and remote lifestyle .
This has been just a short review of how I , and some of the contacts , have used the information we have gained from STEM-X . If you are looking for a professional development that can help in all areas of your teaching , this could be it ! When asking alumni what they would say in this article “ The experience helped strengthen my science knowledge , gave insight into improved teaching methods , better resources and gave me exposure to the latest cutting edge science that Australia has to offer ” and “ engagement has never been as high ” in my experience , the lower-end students are understanding so much more , while the higher end are now thinking “ why ?” and “ what if ?”.
Tanya Riach is currently a STANSW Councillor . She is a Science teacher and STEM coordinator at Condobolin High School .
19 SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 1