STEM and MAVIt is recommended that MAV Council support the establishment and development of a Victorian STEM group with a focus on primary and secondary education. As a first step it could establish a Special Interest Group. The suggested name is

STEM ED VICTORIA.

STEM capabilitiesKey concepts in responses from STEM graduates to the question: “What do you value most from your background in science?”

• Skills: research, learning and enquiry; problem solving; technical skills including observation, experimentation and quantitative skills; presentation and other work practices.

• Ways of thinking: analytical, logical, critical thinking, systematic, structured; questioning, evaluative, independence, reasoning, sceptical; objective, evidence-based, rational; open-minded; innovative, creative, lateral.

• Knowledge: scientific method, science as a process; STEM subject knowledge; foundational STEM knowledge and vocabulary.

Source: Australian Council of Deans of Science

DET Strategic Plan for 2014-17

STEM!!

Current STEM for Victoria• ESTEME • STAV annual STEM conference• Mag-net group – has experience• VETiS and VCAL (with design/production

facilities) e.g. Inner Melbourne VET Cluster• Quantum Victoria (has laboratories)• Scienceworks etc, worksite visits• TAFE activities - central and regional

and alsoSTEM Australia – SA Government siteSTELR – Melbourne based, by Academy of TS&EUniversity of Tasmania Community STEMMacquarie Uni LEAP RoboticsAustralian STEM Video Game Challenge - ACERInterstate Conferences

www.informa.com.auhttp://stem.ed.qut.edu.au

Why should MAV take the lead?

1. STEM goals are consistent with MAV goals, but an extension into other fields of knowledge.

2. Some so-called STEM providers leave out the maths

3. MAV has • good membership coverage• good resources - finance, staff and systems

3. MAV can (should!) cooperate with other interested parties

Getting Started - Requirements

• Obtain signatures of at least 7 MAV members in support of a STEM Special Interest Group.

• Establish an interim committee of at least President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Getting started - Policy

1. Develop a vision statement that includes a definition of STEM appropriate to MAV’s strengths & interests.

2. Develop policy and goals for STEM education in AusVELS , VETiS and teacher training/PD! For example, develop a draft of a STEM-active school and a STEM-active classroom

3. Address the under-representation of women in STEM education and careers

4. Develop policy on sponsors

Defining STEM • The definition should reflect MAV interests

and strengths

• The definition should be classroom focussed

• ‘STEM in classrooms should be integrated, task-oriented activities involving all of S, T and M, with the E as a design/production feature of the activity.’ (Draft – Rob M)

STELR

Getting started – admin

• Register the STEM ED Victoria name

• Set up a STEM Ed Victoria website

• Set up a STEM membership database

• Allocate MAV staff time to STEM

Getting started - membership

Free in the first year to1. Stem coordinators of MAV institutional

members 2. MAV individual and student members with a

STEM interest3. STEM coordinators of member schools of STAV,

DATTA and AAEE4. CEAV members with an interest in STEM5. Affiliated groups, businesses and sponsors

Getting Started - Activities

• Advertise the benefits of MAV-STEM ED VICTORIA membership

• Initiate local, regional and state-wide PD using key sites and the theme of ‘What is a STEM-active school?’

• Appoint an editor and start sending out STEM newsletters

• STEM conference – with STAV?

For Next Year

Obtain an ‘end of year’ first annual report from the STEM group.

Conduct an annual review. Consider • STEM membership fees for MAV members and

others• the status of the STEM ED VICTORIA website.