Introduction To Primary STEM

Introduction To Primary STEM

  • Cool+
  • Primary
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Information and Communication Technologies
  • ...

Course summary

Find out how to integrate, plan and deliver STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs into primary classrooms.


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.

You will learn:

  • What STEM is and how to use STEM to develop 21st Century learning skills in Primary years.
  • The essential foundations of STEM teaching and learning, including equipment and materials, creating a supportive STEM environment, clear learning intentions, collaboration and ideation, reflection and taking it further.
  • How to identify STEM principles in your current teaching practice.
  • Strategies to get students ‘doing’ STEM, through real-world problem-solving.
  • Where STEM could be improved and incorporated into your current teaching practice.

Note: To complete the activity in the lesson ‘Creative problem solving’, in you will need:

  • 30 toothpicks
  • 30 pieces/small balls of Blu-tack or Play-doh
  • A timer

Course time:

This course will take you 2 hours to complete. Enjoy it in one session or spread it out over a few weeks. You will have ongoing access via your personal dashboard.

Accreditation:

This course is mapped to the Professional Standards for Teachers. It is accredited for teacher professional development hours in the following states and territories:

Proficient Teacher – all states and territories except ACT and NSW:

  • 2.1.2 Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
  • 3.1.2 Set explicit, challenging and achievable learning goals for all students.
  • 3.3.2 Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving and critical and creative thinking.
  • 3.4.2 Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.

This course is not currently accredited in the ACT (TQI) or NSW (NESA). However, it can be counted towards teacher identified learning hours (ACT) or NESA PD elective hours (NSW).

Item saved in resources

Save

Share

Course Content

Getting Started

Getting Started

01.
Introduction
02.
Set some learning goals
STEM is Everywhere

STEM is Everywhere

03.
Why STEM?
04.
The STEM in your cup of tea
05.
Invite curiosity into your STEM sessions
06.
Being a facilitator of STEM learning
07.
STEM in your classroom
Foundations of STEM

Foundations of STEM

08.
Foundations of STEM
09.
Inspire STEM in your classroom
10.
Clear STEM intentions
11.
Setting a STEM challenge
12.
Supportive classrooms
13.
Collaboration and ideation
14.
Reflect - Refine - Research
15.
Put it into practice
Your Teaching

Your Teaching

16.
Teaching tips for STEM
17.
Cool lesson plans
Reflection

Reflection

18.
Reflection
19.
Taxonomy of learning
20.
Suggestions for collaboration
21.
Congratulations

Course instructors

Tracey Gray is a Scientist and an experienced science classroom teacher and early learning educator. She is passionate about creating innovative programs that integrate STEM and STEAM techniques and promote creative thinking, curiosity and problem solving. Tracey loves working with teachers and early childhood educators to improve their teaching practice and build their confidence in teaching STEM.

Mark Drummond from Cool Australia is your course teacher. He has worked in the education sector for over 11 years as a classroom teacher, Leader of Pedagogy within an Ed-Tech startup and as an educational consultant. Mark is an absolute science nerd and loves talking about dinosaurs as much as he loves talking about education (which is a lot)!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will this take to complete?

This course will take you 2 hours to complete. Enjoy it in one session or spread it out over a few weeks. You will have ongoing access via your personal dashboard.

Will I get proof of completion?

You will get a Cool.org certificate when you finish, which you can access any time via your personal dashboard, it will also be sent to you by email.

Is this course accredited?

This course is mapped to the Professional Standards for Teachers. It is accredited for teacher professional development hours in the following states and territories:

Proficient Teacher – all states and territories except ACT and NSW:

  • 2.1.2 Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
  • 3.1.2 Set explicit, challenging and achievable learning goals for all students.
  • 3.3.2 Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.
  • 3.4.2 Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.

This course is not currently accredited in the ACT (TQI) or NSW (NESA). However, it can be counted towards teacher identified learning hours (ACT) or NESA PD elective hours (NSW).

What are the curriculum links?

  • Learning areas: Science, Technologies, Mathematics
  • General capabilities: Numeracy, Information and Communication Technology, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability
Item saved in resources

Save

Share