A once-forgotten building at St Stephen’s School, Algester has been transformed into a thriving STEM Centre that now sits at the heart of student learning and innovation—especially during National Science Week (9–17 August).
Spearheaded at the beginning of 2024 by school leaders John Bates and Jessica Mutton, the STEM Centre has been equipped with cutting-edge technology, including 3D printers, robotics kits, virtual reality tools, and collaborative workspaces designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
The school also appointed a dedicated STEM specialist teacher, Tracey Smith, in Term 1 of this year, taking the space to a whole new level.
St Stephen’s School Specialist STEM teacher Tracey Smith said the program has a distinctive Laudato Si focus, encouraging students to hear His Holiness the late Pope Francis’ call to ‘Care for Our Common Home.’
“Instead of being confined to isolated lessons, STEM learning at St Stephen’s focuses on real-world, sustainability-driven projects that reflect the principles of Laudato Si’ and promotes First Nations perspectives,” she said.
“With sustainability at the centre of everything, we are laying a powerful foundation for a future where education, innovation, and stewardship go hand in hand.”
St Stephen’s School Principal John Bates said, Tracey works with every year level from Prep to Year 6 on a fortnightly rotation, designing hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences.
“In just six months, St Stephen’s has gone from having a dormant building to leading the way in environmental and STEM education,” he said.
“What sets this program apart is its authenticity.
“It isn’t an add-on or a one-off event; it’s an integral part of the students' timetable and now also our school culture.
“It’s a space where students aren’t just learning about science, they’re doing science, and they’re doing it in ways that matter to them and the world around them.
“Whether it's completing the ‘Bee Kind’ unit in Prep, where students learn about the importance of pollinators, or Year 6’s ‘Green & Growing: Snacks with a Purpose,’ where they explore sustainable food production, every student is immersed in meaningful, connected learning that brings science to life.”
St Stephen’s School Assistant Principal Jessica Mutton said, “with student achievement on the rise, community engagement growing, and sustainability at the centre of everything, the school has laid a powerful foundation for a future where education, innovation, and stewardship go hand in hand”.
“The results have been extraordinary,” she said.
“Students are eager to talk about their projects at home and with their peers, showing a genuine sense of pride and ownership in their learning.
“Teachers have also noticed measurable increases in student achievement across multiple areas.”
John adds that another benefit of the program is how seamlessly it integrates with other learning areas, while also reducing teacher workloads.
“Because we have a specialist STEM teacher, our classroom teachers can focus on other priorities such as English, Maths, and Religion.
“In a time when teacher wellbeing is paramount, this model offers a welcome balance for our educators.
“I would also like to thank our Parents and Friends Committee for contributing $5000 towards refurbishing our STEM Centre and helping to resource the space.”
For more information about St Stephen’s School, Algester or to enrol click here.
About National Science Week National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. The purposes of National Science Week are to: - Draw the nation’s attention to the sciences.
- Spark broad interest and engagement in the sciences.
- Provide an opportunity for all Australians, including those historically underrepresented in the sciences, to participate in science events and activities.
- Foster partnerships between the community, research organisations and industry
- Trial new and innovative science communication activities.