More than 350 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educators are gathering in Sydney next week to learn from each other about how best to shape the teaching of STEM subjects in future.
The Festival will be held at the University of Sydney, is hosted by the University's STEM Enrichment Academy and the Sydney Academy of Teacher Excellence during the NSW Government's EdTECH week, and coincides with the EduTECH conference.
Professor Scott Sleap, co-convenor of the Festival who is employed by the Department of Education and the University, said the Festival would include several key workshops for educators.
"The engaging and relevant teaching of STEM subjects opens countless opportunities for students and is critical to the social and economic fabric of society," Professor Sleap said.
"There will be primary, secondary, cross-curricular and Educational Leadership streams for participants to follow.
"The Department's Executive Director, Curriculum, Megan Kelly, will be the keynote speak in the Educational Leadership stream.
"We are very proud to see this latest development in the growing co-operation between the Department and the University in supporting the professional development of new and experienced STEM educators.
"Eddie Woo and I, both Professors of Practice at the University, helped establish the Sydney Academy of Teaching Excellence, and the Department has been central to co-ordinating various aspects of the Festival.
"We are very grateful to the Sydney University STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy for investing more than $70,000 in teacher bursaries, supporting 73 Department regional, rural and remote staff, and those based in low socio-economic areas, in attending the conference."
The CSIRO has also provided 10 bursaries, at least half awarded to Department staff. Regional Department staff directly involved in the Festival include:
- Paul Roger, Principal of Corrimal High School, presenting a secondary workshop
- Russ Taunton, a Science Curriculum Advisor based at Corrimal High School, also presenting a secondary workshop
- Neil Bessant, Senior Project Manager based in Wollongong, presenting a secondary workshop for Regional Industry Education Partnerships
- Chris Borman, based in Coffs Harbour, presenting a secondary workshop
The Festival is on Tuesday 10 June from 8.30am to 5pm at the University of Sydney, Camperdown.
