STEM in Schools
The current landscape of STEM in Australian education reveals a mixed picture. On one hand, there’s a growing number of initiatives, programs, and resources aimed at improving STEM learning and teaching.
Organisations across the country are launching innovative projects to inspire students and provide teachers with the tools they need to deliver engaging and effective STEM education.
On the other hand, challenges persist, including a gender gap in participation and achievement, particularly in subjects like maths, engineering and information technology, and in rural and remote areas where resources are often limited.
To improve girls’ adoption in STEM we need...
Equipping teachers with the necessary skills and confidence to deliver compelling STEM lessons. Ongoing professional development in STEM education practices could help bridge this gap.
Beyond standalone subjects, integrating STEM principles across the curriculum can increase understanding, showing students the real-world applications of their learning.
Initiatives specifically designed to engage and support girls in STEM from an early age are crucial in closing the gender gap.
Ensuring students in rural and remote areas have equal opportunities to engage with high-quality STEM education, including through digital platforms and resources.
Collaboration with industry can provide insights into current and future STEM careers, helping to align education with the needs of the workforce.
Teachers are expected to do additional out of hours planning already, giving them extensive STEM homework on top of that can be a barrier. We need to make their access to STEM resources as easy as possible.
That is why we developed STEMpower!
This page is for teachers, teachers assistants, educators, career advisors and anyone in the education sector looking to better understand what’s current in STEM and ways to improve girls’ interest in STEM.
What is STEMpower?
STEMpower is a digital platform for Australian STEM resources, programs, events, activities, and knowledge.
STEMpower Goals:
- Improve girls’ participation in STEM subjects
- Increase girls’ interest in STEM careers
- Create a STEM messaging framework to improve STEM exposure
- Reduce the systemic barriers girls face
- Address the myths and biases surrounding girls and women in STEM in a supportive and safe way
- Provide exposure to the wonderful STEM programs that exist
- Showcase Careers of the Future and their multiple pathways
- Make finding STEM information simple and easy
- Give STEM role models the spotlight they deserve
- Increase diversity, equity and inclusion in all workplaces
- Reduce the amount of duplicated information across STEM institutions to simplify STEM exploration
Australia Needs More Women in STEM
Australia’s future as a leader in STEM needs us to harness the full potential of our workforce, including the untapped talents and perspectives of women.
Currently, women are underrepresented in STEM fields, which not only limits women’s opportunities but also stifles innovation and economic growth.
Embracing gender diversity in STEM is not just about equity, it’s a strategic imperative for boosting Australia’s competitive edge in the global economy. The impacts of more women entering STEM fields could be profound, ranging from enhanced creativity and innovation to stronger economic performance and more equitable workplaces.
10 Reasons Why We Need More Women in STEM:
1
Increased Economic Growth
Diverse STEM teams drive innovation and productivity, contributing significantly to national GDP.
2
Enhanced Innovation
CSIRO research indicates that women bring unique perspectives that lead to novel solutions and products.
3
Reduced Skills Shortage
Engineers Australia noted that tapping into the female workforce can alleviate the critical skills shortages in STEM industries.
4
Improved Workplace Culture
Gender diversity promotes a more inclusive and dynamic work environment, not just for women, but for everyone.
5
Greater Research and Development
Diverse teams lead to broader research agendas and outcomes that better reflect Australia’s needs.
6
Sustainable Development
Science & Technology Australia found that women in STEM contribute to solving global challenges, including climate change and sustainable development.
7
Inspiration for Future Generations
Successful women in STEM can become role models, encouraging more young girls to pursue these fields.
8
Global Competitiveness
Nations with more gender-diverse STEM sectors are better positioned in the global market.
9
Social Equity
Breaking down gender barriers in STEM fields promotes improved social justice and equity in our communities.
10
Economic Resilience
A diverse STEM workforce can better navigate and innovate through economic uncertainties. Women were heavily impacted during COVID due to the unstable nature of many non-STEM careers.
How to Increase Girls' STEM Engagement
Teachers and career counsellors can play a pivotal role in increasing girls’ interest in STEM by implementing strategies and activities designed to spark curiosity in STEM careers and confidence when participating in STEM subjects.
Let's flip the script!
Here are some ideas to help increase girls’ engagement in STEM:
2
STEM Challenges and Competitions
Encourage participation in the Australian Science Olympiads, highlighting female scientists and mathematicians as role models.
3
Implement a Girls Who Code Club
Utilise resources from Code Like a Girl to start a coding club that ignites a supportive community for female students.
Did you know?
STEMpower Resources for Educators
Explore resources available to teachers, school staff, teachers assistants and the education community from engaging classroom activities to STEM education advice and understanding future careers to improve students interest in STEM.
Whether you’re new to the wide world of STEM or a seasoned teacher who has been delivering STEM in schools for many years, there will be resources for you!
Some of the of types of resources available for educators:
Featured Resources
Explore STEM Stories, STEM Resources and STEM jobs and careers and STEM lesson ideas for public school teachers.
Explore a vast range of teaching resources and in school programs available through the Science Teachers’ Association of WA.
Discover the STEM in Practice sample books and interactive documents from the Teacher Resources book with free downloads and resources.
Free classroom factsheets, resources, posters and activities related to the continent of Australia, plate tectonics, minerals and energy, spatial and geographical information, fossils, marine and coastal and so much more.
Find resources to help teachers learn about Digital Technologies, guidance and support to develop and implement a whole-school plan and implement and assess effective lessons.
Techtrails Incursions
Could your school and students benefit from learning more about STEM careers? Do you want to learn more about future STEM careers and skills?
Techtrails Incursions are a great way to bring inspiring female STEM role models to share their stories and career journeys and take part in hands on activities like VR or flying drones.
What past schools are saying about Techtrails...
Run your own Techtrails!
The Techtrails DIY Program was designed to help bring Techtrails to every school in Australia. Techtrails DIY Program is designed to bring the inspiring world of Techtrails to schools beyond Western Australia or those unable to host an in-person visit from the WiTWA team.
This self-guided program equips educators with a comprehensive toolkit to organise and execute their own Techtrails event, ensuring that every student can explore the exciting possibilities of future careers in STEM regardless of location.
With access to an array of tools, guides, and templates, schools can seamlessly set up a self-guided Techtrails experience that resonates with their students’ interests and aspirations. The program includes everything from how to connect with local STEM professionals willing to share their journeys, to organising interactive workshops that spark curiosity and engagement.
Features of the STEM in Schools Techtrails DIY Program:
Customisable
Event Plans
Set up your Techtrails event with our flexible planning resources designed to suit your school’s needs.
Expert
Speaker Guides
Tips on how to find and invite women in STEM to inspire your students with their real-world experiences.
Interactive
Workshop Ideas
Engage students with hands-on activities that highlight the fun and practical side of STEM careers.
Promotional Materials
Attract attention and enthusiasm within your school community using our pre-designed and easily editable templates.
When we realised how effective Techtrails was at increasing STEM engagement in schools – we knew we had to find a way to let everyone share in the excitement and inspiration that comes from learning about future STEM careers.
Techtrails DIY Program not only broadens the reach of the Techtrails mission but also empowers educators to encourage a culture of innovation and curiosity, ultimately leading to a positive STEM message.
The Techtrails DIY Program is still being developed however, register below to be the first to know when the program is launched!
Western Australian Government Steps Up
In Western Australia the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI) has been active in developing, supporting and delivering a range of initiatives related to STEM diversity.
JTSI has developed whole-school approaches to build students’ STEM capability and explore professional practices that increase student engagement, participation and achievement in STEM education.
Examples of the JTSI Whole School Approach
School-led professional models of support
Two-way Science Initiative
JTSI looked to support students from a diverse range of cultural contexts to participate in learning activities on country and in the classroom, that incorporates local Aboriginal knowledge and its application in STEM education. [Media Statement]
Marine Industry School Pathways Program
An Australian Government program designed to encourage and inform young people about employment opportunities and pathways into the industry, including STEM-related marine industry pathways. [View Plan]
Highlighting STEM Wins
JTSI also championed bringing attention to those schools and students who could demonstrate innovation and best practice in STEM education, providing a number of ways to celebrate and demonstrate these through:
Better Resources for Schools
JTSI also prioritised better access to resources and materials for STEM in schools through initiatives such as:
Video Suite
Providing a suite of videos promoting school stories in STEM education.
STEM Learning Project
Developing learning projects including forty-one K-12 STEM teaching and learning resource modules and 15 online professional learning modules.
STEM Hub
The STEM Hub provides an online collection of research and resources with case studies. [Visit the Hub]
