STEAM/STEM Educational Resources

Over recent years, the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) has been heavily promoted and discussed within fields of education. This has been within the context of ensuring that the next generation of students are provided with relevant knowledge and skills for the 21st century.

What was missing however, was an acknowledgement of the vital importance of artistic and creative thinking. The ability to think outside the box to develop artistic and creative solutions.

Many figures involved in science and technological advancement valued and applied the contribution of artistic skill into their work. The relevance of art is integral to success in all of the original STEM areas, and so STEAM education is now moving to the forefront.

Cool Australia is proud to produce STEM and STEAM resources for your classroom as well as a range of related online professional development courses. 

Professional Development – Big History

This course will explore how a critical inquiry model, informed by literacy, humanities, future sustainability and the general capability of critical thinking can be used to engage students. Teachers will learn to facilitate students’ scientific knowledge and understanding by expanding upon a broad, narrative approach to the Big Bang and the history of the universe. You’ll learn:

  • How to incorporate multi-disciplines to arrive at a transdisciplinary Big History learning approach, interrelating Sustainability learning and STEAM inquiry within a critical-inquiry -based learning curriculum.
  • How to interconnect a changing, cohesive (his)story of our universe with socioecological learning that considers environmental, economic, societal and welfare needs of communities
  • How Big History incorporates transdisciplinary learning, inclusive of STEAM inquiry, to empower student curiosity about the history of the universe and potential impacts on the environment
  • How to structure a gradual release of responsibility across a unit, from teacher as instructor to teacher as lead-learner, who guides students in independent evidence-based questioning and learning
  • How to guide students to self-assess alongside your teacher assessments within the above learning structure.

Get started here.

 

STEAM/STEM Education Resource Units

STEM Challenges
Early Learning

These lessons tap into the inquisitive nature of youngsters and introduce the core tenets of critical thinking by asking the little ones to make observations about what they can see and make predictions based on natural phenomena. 
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STEM Challenges
Primary

The STEM and STEAM lessons in this unit cover every part of the scientific process—from observing natural phenomena and making predictions, to conceptualising, designing and testing their theories.
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Citizen Science
Years 7 to 12

An initiative that seeks to educate people from across Australia on  climate change & empower them to contribute to solutions. Users collect phenological data on a range of species and in doing so, help shape the country’s scientific response to climate change.
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Learning Robotics
Years 5 & 6

This is a Design Thinking unit focusing on robotics. Students learn about the history and use of robots and robotics, explore a robotic device, and develop their understanding of how to manipulate it by experimenting with associated software.
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Real-Life CSI
Secondary

What do real-life forensic investigations look like? In these lessons, designed for middle-secondary school classes, students will explore the science behind the TV shows to answer this very question.
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STEAM Made Simple
Primary

These lessons cover a wide variety of engaging approaches to integrating STEAM into the classroom: from exploring organic gardening and designing their own garden, to learning the basics of computer programming and coding!
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STEAM Made Simple
Secondary

This STEAM unit demonstrates how science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics are interrelated and requires students to draw on and develop skills from all areas to complete their projects.
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Backyard Bush Blitz
Years 5 to 9

These units use the species discovered through the Bush Blitz program to inspire and engage students. The lessons are designed to meet the principles of place-based learning. 
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STEM and STEAM Online Accredited Professional Development Courses

To see all of the STEM courses that are available please click here.

Introduction to STEM
2 hours – Early Learning

This course will help you understand the essential foundations of STEM teaching and learning and provide opportunities to help build knowledge, skills and confidence to take on STEM in your early learning environment.
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Introduction to STEM
2 hours – Primary

This course will help you understand the essential foundations of STEM teaching and learning and provide opportunities to help build knowledge, skills and confidence to take on STEM in your classroom.
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Introduction to STEM
2 hours – Secondary

This course will help you understand the essential foundations of STEM teaching and learning and provide opportunities to help build knowledge, skills and confidence to take on STEM in your classroom.
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Integrating STEM Through Project-Based Learning – 2 hours –  Primary/Secondary

Find out how Project-based Learning (PBL) can be used to integrate STEM into your classroom, and how you can guide students to develop meaningful solutions to real world problems. 
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Save the World with STEM
2 Hours – Primary/Secondary

This course will help you understand how STEM education can be used to address the intended outcomes of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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Get Creative With STEM
2 Hours – Primary

Using videos from Blue: the Film, you will explore a framework for using the Arts to teach STEAM. Blue explores the state of the ocean, helps us think about its important role on Earth and encourages us to become ocean guardians.
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Scroll down to view a selection of STEM and STEAM resources. 

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