STEMeez , an online research-informed STEM learning platform, has received an additional $1.6m to excite young minds about the world of STEM.
The Invergowrie Foundation initially awarded $1.2m to Swinburne University of Technology, The University of Melbourne and Deakin University in 2022. The platform provides girls, families and educators with engaging educational opportunities to participate in STEM.
The new round of funding will help expand the learning platform over three years, with free learning modules that follow students from preschool to VCE.
Swinburne STEMeez program lead Dr Sarika Kewalramani says this funding will help solve Australia's STEM skills crisis.
"STEM pathways don't finish at eight years old. The resources and activities will contextualise STEM learning in their living and learning environments so that girls can start to see themselves doing and belonging in STEM from early childhood onwards.
"Deploying Swinburne's solutions-focused approach that brings people and technology together, girls will indulge in activities co-designed with them and for them. This will grow girls' uptake of STEM careers, shaping a sustainable STEM Future for Australia."
Using a 'Learning Everyday STEM Together' philosophy, Swinburne will also co-design social spaces for girls and youth in regional Victoria to collaborate with everyday STEM role models.
Swinburne's Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education Professor James Verdon says he is delighted to see this significant recognition of Swinburne's teacher education researcher expertise.
"Working on crucially important issues such as the uptake of STEM education from pre-school through secondary school completion is well aligned with Swinburne's mission bringing people and technology together to create a better world."
Early Childhood Educator Padmini Narayanan says the highlight of the program is its ease of use for children.
"I have used STEMeez as a tool for provocation. Traditionally I would have to do a lot of homework and research to plan my science lessons, but with STEMeez, it gives you intentionality when talking to the children."
Dr Kewalramani says their resources, such as animations and games, offer many ways for children to interact with science and maths concepts.
"Our E-storybooks are linked to six different STEM modules are codesigned with and for teachers and parents to engage girls in everyday STEM."
"Where multimodality fits in is how our resources give children, especially girls, opportunities to engage with STEM not only through text but also audio and movement."
"We're thrilled to watch this project develop and continue to positively impact girls' STEM educational trajectories."
