Digital STEM School PilotSACOME calls for the implementation of a new Digital Technology pilot to be rolled out in schools to support STEM learning and development.
The teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in schools is vital to ensuring South Australia keeps pace with technological change to advance its economy and prosperity.
Industry and education both play a key role in supporting students to understand the realities and needs of the STEM workforce and to prepare students for the big career challenges and opportunities ahead. South Australia’s resources sector is continuously evolving with the emergence of new technologies including robotics, automation, data science, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. Aligning with the State’s STEM Learning Strategy, the Digital Technology Pilot will provide primary and secondary schools with ‘hands on’ challenge kits to teach in the classroom along with online software and industry context. Based on the successful ‘Digital Technologies Program’ implemented by the Department of Education and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) in Western Australia, the pilot will teach fundamental STEM skills, increase student interest in technology-based career pathways, and support the future skilled-talent pipeline crucially needed for the South Australian resources sector. It will also offer broader application than just the resources sector, teaching fundamental skills and life-long lessons that can be applied to other important industries including agriculture, medicine, manufacturing, information technology and engineering. SACOME will continue to call on the State Government to allocate funding to the Department of Education to enable an initial pilot in State schools including the initial establishment of challenge kits, annual access to the digital platform, and resources to implement the pilot including teacher training and resources. SACOME will also advocate to the Association of Independent Schools of SA and Catholic Education South Australia to implement the STEM trial concurrently. |