EDUCATIONANDOUTREACH

Howto…

Plan a learningactivity

Weareexcitedthatyouare part ofSTEMProfessionalsinSchoolstoincreaseSTEMskills,knowledgeandconfidenceforteachers,studentsandSTEMprofessionals.

Thisguide will helpyouplan,supportandexecuteideasas part ofyourpartnership.

Toensurethatyouare both confident inrunning an activitytogether,decide on whatsortofactivitywill work bestfor both ofyouto meet yourmutualgoals and what time/s ofyearwouldbe suitable.

Teacherswillbe able to assist the STEMprofessional when running theactivitytohelp students understand thecontent andaligntothe general capabilities ofthe schoolcurriculum, whilethe STEM professionalwillbe able to equip teacherswiththe knowledgeand skillsthey need.

Understandingtheschoolenvironment

For STEM professionals, it’s important tonotethat:

•Most schoolshave a school calendar offourterms per year, commencing inlate Januaryand concludinginDecember. Check termtimes when planning activitiestoavoidschool holidays and assessmentperiods.

•In most primaryschools,teachersareallocated to a yearlevel and are responsibleforteaching most subjects. Someprimaryschoolsare implementing a specialist

STEM teacher.

•In most highschools,teachers specialisein subject areas and are responsible

forteaching those subjects to studentsacross multiple year levels. Somehighschoolsintegrate STEM across a range ofsubject areas.

STEM Professionals inSchools is supported bythe Australian GovernmentDepartment of Educationand Training

Activitychecklist

There’s plenty of scope and flexibilityaroundtheactivitiesyoucan do,in and out ofthe classroom. Discuss whatthe STEMprofessionalisdoingat work, whatthe needs ofthe curriculummight be, or if there’s an opportunityto work on an integratedproject. RefertotheTerm Planner and Activity Plan templatetohelp you and yourpartnerplanyouractivity and cover everythingyou need to know tomake it a success.

Some important yet simple thingstoconsiderare:

Your school termtimes

Whatparticularareas can your partnership add value(short-term and long-term)

The age and ability ofthe students, and howmanywillbeparticipating

School's visitor policy

Thetime available fortheactivity

Curriculum learningarea

Health, safety and environment requirements

Practical information such as where to park and howtofindthe classroom

Whether student/parent consentformsarerequired

TheAustralianCurriculum

TheAustralian Curriculum sets theexpectationsforwhat school students shouldbe taught, regardlessofwhere theyliveinAustralia. It outlinesthe quality oflearningexpectedofyoung people asthey progressthrough school.

Worktogetherwithyourpartnertoalignactivitiesaroundtheteaching plan. It’snotcriticalthat an activitythrough STEM Professionals inSchoolsalignstotheAustralian Curriculum but it isbeneficialtohave anunderstanding ofwhatthe curriculum is and howtheactivitymightsupportthe general capabilities ofthecurriculum toincrease students’ learningoutcomes

Courtesy of AustralianCurriculum,AssessmentandReportingAuthority(ACARA)

Studentengagement

There’s a range of ways STEM professionalscan work withteacherstoincreaseknowledge in STEM and toincrease studentengagement. Here’s some suggestions tobuild confidence when running activities:

•Try different formatsto see what suitsyour partnerships beste.g.experiments,presentations or mentoring. Youmaytryone style but thenfind a different formatworks better foryou and yourpartner.

•The STEM professional can sharewiththeteacher and students their own journey,their workplace and whatthey do there.

•STEM professionals shouldtrytoavoidjargon – it’sfineto usecorrect terms but trytobreak it down and explain what it meanstoincreaselearning and understanding fortheteacher andstudents.

•Allocate some timefor students toask questions or digest newinformation during an activity.

•Usingvisuals,props and artefacts can help bring an activitytolife and help students remember whattheyhave learnt.

•Worktogetherwithyourpartnertolead a hands-onactivity soyou can use both your strengths.

TermPlanner

Use this term planner towork out suitable times toconduct an activity. Determine with your partner what sortof activities youwouldliketo run and how they might align to the teacher’s lessons and whatknowledge theSTEMprofessionalcanshare.Youmay choose to run an activity weekly,monthly or evenyearly – it’s up toyou!

SamplePlanner

Term / Teachingplan / STEMprofessionalideas / Partnershipideas
Term1
Term2
Term3
Term4

Learningplantemplate

This form will help you and your partner plan your activity tomakesure youareprepared. Youmay find thatyou andyour partner wouldpreferto plan your activity face-to-face or via email. Either way, this form will help youidentifywhatyou need to do to in preparationfor an activity.

Curriculumlearningareaandlearningfocus
Howmuchtimeisrequired?
What’stherole ofstudentsinthislearningactivity?
Age/yearlevelofstudents
Keylearningintention
Health,safetyandriskconsiderations
Facilitiesrequired
Materialsrequired
Howwilllearningbeassessed

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