STEM in Primary Inaugural Post

Stuff this week Welcome to the very first STEM in Primary blog post. I do a lot of research for my own interest, to support the STEM program at my girl's school and to provide opportunities for my girls at home.  I think that others will also be interested so I am starting this blog. For now this blog will have a bias towards activities which affect Brisbane students. In addition to the information and links in these posts there is a link to the STEM in Primary YouTube channel at the top of this page. There you will find a curated selection of STEM related videos. STEM Education has a global focus and the Australian government at all levels is promoting it as a priority. This is not to say that a balanced liberal education should be abandoned, far from it. However, there are significant structural issues that are preventing schools from nimbly shifting teaching practices and content to embrace the modern technological age. Hopefully, this blog will provide food for thought and be a conversation starter that will lead to positive and tangible change. It is so important however, to ensure that any change is done in a structured and informed manner to avoid wasted effort, money and our children's precious time in the classroom. At this point in time I earn no money from any product I endorse and I am not affiliated with any other company. If this ever changes I will certainly let you know! I look forward to hearing people's thoughts on this topic.

Stuff in the news The government is funding a number of programs designed to improve access and participation in STEM related fields for girls. Read the report here: Australia's STEM Gender Problem Is Getting $3.9m In Government Funding No matter how much you encourage STEM education it is not enough to enable and support innovation that Australia desperately needs in the future. New teaching methods are required. STEM needs all the help it can get

Stuff to do STEMPUNKS STEM classes for kids in Brisbane Flying Fox Studios School Holiday Coding For Kids From Prep To Year 7 | Code Camp Building Block Studio | Learning Activity Centre For Budding Coders And Engineers Bricks 4 Kidz® In Brisbane | Awesome Fun With LEGO® Bricks Fun Chess Classes For Kids | Chess Mates Fun LEGO STEM Programs | Young Engineers Brisbane Red Cat Science | Kids get to do what the can't at school CoderDojo - A volunteer run programming club

Stuff to buy Blueberry4 - A fantastic Australian invention teaches the fundamentals of computer architecture LinkSprite - Another Australian invention. Teaches physical computing with easy to connect components Raspberry Pi - A tiny and affordable computer that you can use to learn programming through fun, practical projects Airblock programmable drone New pink version of the mBot - A capable and low cost robot Chibitronics - Chibitronics LED Circuit Stickers combine arts and craft with technology Keva Planks - You build structures by simply stacking the planks. No glue, no connectors

Stuff in education Australia’s performance in science continues to slide due to ineffective, traditional teaching practices and an outdated curriculum, which is leading to students becoming disengaged with the subject. Three ways to boost science performance in Australian schools