An Australian Research Council (ARC) project helping STEM teachers explore problem-solving approaches to learning is well underway with a project website now available for educators and students.
Seven Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) schools are participating in the project along with schools from the Melbourne Archdiocese.
The research project, which focuses on teaching STEM in the middle years of schooling (Years 5 to 9), aims to inspire teachers and equip their students to actively problem-solve STEM challenges in the classroom.
It is hoped through the project teachers will be able to build greater knowledge and confidence in designing authentic and challenging STEM experiences for their students.
Project lead, Dr Kathy Smith from ARC, said classroom teachers will work as co- researchers collaborating with academic leaders over the three years of the project.
“STEM teachers will be supported to design and implement action plans within their schools to further understand how problem-based learning can be effectively translated into a classroom environment,” said Dr Smith.
Brisbane Catholic Education’s Project Lead, Dr Charlotte Pezaro said the research project was a win-win for the teachers and their students.
“I am sure the middle-school students participating will have a lot of fun exploring STEM subjects through problem-based learning and teachers will enjoy creating new challenges for them,” said Dr Pezaro.
Staff from the participating BCE schools had their first workshop in the last term of 2021 to outline how they would integrate the research into their STEM classrooms. The BCE schools involved in the research project are Assisi Catholic College, Good Samaritan Catholic College, McAuley College, Our Lady's College, San Sisto College, St Columban's College, and St Ita's Catholic Primary School.