"STEM +" Towards Smart Partnerships And Dynamic Learning Communities

STEM +Towards Smart PartnershipsAndDynamic Learning Communities

Kim FlintoffLearning Futures

Curtin Learning and Teaching

STEM School Education Strategy

“When Australian Education Ministers signed up to the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians in 2008, they identified literacy and numeracy and knowledge of key disciplines as the cornerstone of schooling for young Australians. They also recognised that schooling should support the development of skills in cross-disciplinary, critical and creative thinking, problem solving and digital technologies, which are essential in all 21st century occupations.

These objectives lie at the core of the national science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) school education strategy.”

What is STEM?

“STEM education is a term used to refer collectively to the teaching of the disciplines within its umbrella – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and also to a cross-disciplinary approach to teaching that increases student interest in STEM-related fields and improves students’ problem solving and critical analysis skills.

STEM sits within a broader foundational knowledge base and the teaching of STEM is a part, albeit important, of a balanced program of learning.”

Silos, pigeon holes, and boundaries

In the corporate world silos are considered a sign of organisational dysfunction; but in education?

STEM is an incomplete framework

Even when advocating for STEM many educators still operate with a silo mindset

STEM +

STEM is not the core of education

The “subjects” simply provide the context for developing what’s most important.

STEM +

The challenge is to extend the focus of the “+” in STEM+ to be a more inclusive mindset - engaging the metaphorical, critical and creative dimensions of human activity.

STEM +

The “+” ensures that engagement does not hide behind “utilitarian purpose” and the social and culture dimensions that drive scientific enquiry/discovery, technological innovation are revealed explicitly. Society drives these changes and responds to the changes.

STEM +

The “+” introduces the political, philosophical and ethical dimensions that can be lost when economics and industry are the only drivers.

STEM +

The “+” provides the reasons and rationale for STEM.

Interdisciplinarity is not new

STEM+ networkSchools

State Education Systems

Catholic Education

Universities

Independent SchoolsIndustry

Government

Professional Associations

Cultural Institutions

Cross sector models for engagement and service provision might reflect the interdisciplinarity required and could act as models within school structures for curriculum planning and learning engagement.

STEM+ network

STEM+ in action