According to the Federal Government’s Innovation Statement, an estimated 75% of jobs in the fastest-growing industries require workers with STEM skills, but the numbers of Australian students studying science and maths in high school are dropping. This is further exacerbated by inequality in access to technology-based learning for students in low socio-economic and remote areas.
GOODNA STATE SCHOOL
Goodna State School in Brisbane wanted to ensure its students had access to the technology and STEM learning activities that would set them up for their future studies and careers.
Their project enabled them to purchase a range of equipment including robotics kits, iPads and laptops and invested time in professional development so teachers were confident to introduce digital technologies in the classroom.
The results were encouraging, with the percentage of students pass technology assessments increasing from 24% to over 80% after one year.
“I am going to be a robot when I get older… well a robot programmer. Being a robot would be weird” – Kane, Year 4