The STEMCrAfT project is about capacity building for STEM teachers using a peer support model. It will do this through the establishment of a framework for the teacher analysis, critique and evaluation of STEM resources. The project asks expert STEM teachers to reflect on their own practice and identify the processes they engage in when planning and implementing STEM teaching. The expert teachers work in collaboration with less experienced STEM teachers to identify the thinking and processes that inform their practice.
Over the coming year, STEM teachers will be able to trial the Framework and contribute to its refinement. It will be launched nationally in May 2014.Support for this project has been provided by the Australian Maths Science Partnerships Program (AMSPP). The views in this website do not necessarily reflect the views of the government.
* Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Critical Appraisal for Teachers
Many primary and secondary teachers of maths and science in rural and regional schools are not STEM graduates and lack not only specialised content knowledge, but also the pedagogical content knowledge to confidently and successfully select appropriate resources. Consequently, they may struggle to inspire students in STEM.
Industries, STEM practitioners, and others have developed resources for schools to focus on inspiring, real world applications of STEM knowledge, but there is often a gap between these resources and teachers' understanding of where to locate resources and resources' suitability for their level of knowledge and the needs of their students. The range of materials available in itself can be overwhelming and the time required to make a choice can result in lower quality or unsuitable resources being used.
Access to people with relevant expertise and experience is sometimes the most needed yet least readily available resource.The development of the STEMCrAfT framework will provide STEM teachers with access to expert knowledge through a Community of Practice and a mechanism for confidently selecting appropriate resources.
The Framework is an iterative document developed over a 3 day workshop held in Tasmania in September 2013. The framework asked expert teachers in STEM to reflect on their practice and identify how they make decisions concerning the selection of suitable teaching resources.
On the third day of the workshop, less experienced STEM teachers were introduced to the process and asked to consider how they might use the framework in the identification and selection of STEM resources.
Throughout 2013 and early next year, this framework will be available for STEM teachers to trial and contribute to its modification and development. The Framework will then be brought to teachers in WA who will be asked to test it.
The final Framework will be launched in May 2014. Click on the link for the most current version of the STEMCrAfT Framework (Draft) (Word 36KB).
Tasmanian Department of Education, Early Years and Schools Curriculum Services
West Australian School Pathways Program, Defence Industries (SPPDI) Project Higher Education Partners
University of Tasmania:
Edith Cowan University:
Deakin University:
Southern Cross University:
University of South Australia:
Project Industry Partners
Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia Inc (SPERA)
Engineers Australia, Tasmania Division
Australian Council for Computers in Education (ACCE)
Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT)
Australian Scientific & Engineering Solutions Pty Ltd
This STEMCrAfT Project represents a Community of Practice (CoP) between peer teachers in STEM, members of the UTAS School of Education, Centre for University Pathways and Programs, the National Centre for Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics, Deakin, Edith Cowan, Southern Cross Universities and the University of South Australia, professional associations and industry bodies.
The aim of this CoP is to provide a communal space for discussion, solutions to STEM teaching issues, resource identification and, most importantly collaborative input into the design and development of the STEMCrAfT framework for the teacher analysis, critique and evaluation of STEM resources.
For more information on the STEMCrAfT Project, please contact Suzanne Crowley suzanne.crowley@utas.edu.au.
Authorised by the Director, Centre for University Pathways and Partnerships
1 October, 2013
Future Students | International Students | Postgraduate Students | Current Students
© University of Tasmania, Australia ABN 30 764 374 782 CRICOS Provider Code 00586B
Copyright | Privacy | Disclaimer | Web Accessibility | Site Feedback | Info line 1300 363 864