STEM Professional Learning for Australian Secondary Teachers
We’ve mapped out a staged pathway that will prepare you to integrate STEM education effectively, adapt to technological advancements and inspire students to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.
How it works
| Level | Category | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation | Introduction to Primary STEM |
| How to Teach Science More Effectively | ||
| 2 | Proficiency | Digital Tech for STEM Classrooms |
| Inspire Young Scientists in the Primary Classroom | ||
| How to Teach Creative Thinking for STEM | ||
| 3 | Mastery | Advocating for STEM |
| Save the World with STEM | ||
| 4 | Innovation | Integrating STEM Through Project-Based Learning |
| Get Creative With STEM |
Scaffolding your learning and development
| Stage | Zone of Learning | Bloom’s Taxonomy Level | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation | Remembering | Reflects a base level of knowledge and comprehension, establishing a solid groundwork. Define, Duplicate, List, Memorise, Repeat, State, classify, describe, discuss, explain, identify, locate, recognise, report, select, translate |
| Understanding | |||
| 2 | Proficiency | Applying | Highlights the development of practical skills and the ability to break down information and apply it effectively. Execute, implement, solve, use, demonstrate, interpret, operate, schedule, sketch, differentiate, organise, relate, compare, contrast, distinguish, examine, experiment, question, test |
| Analysing | |||
| 3 | Mastery | Evaluating | Signifies advanced competence, where the ability to critically assess and make judgments is emphasized. Appraise, argue, defend, judge, select, support, value, critique, weigh |
| Evaluating | |||
| 4 | Innovation | Creating | Indicates the highest level of proficiency, where the creation of new and original work demonstrates expert understanding and capability. Design, assemble, construct, conjecture, develop, formulate, author, investigate |
| Creating |
Creating Your Plan
Use the information on this page and the Cool.org planning document to assess your skills, set your goals, choose the courses that interest you and track your learnings across the stages.
What is STEM?
STEM integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into learning. It is incorporated into the Australian Curriculum in various learning areas and general capabilities.
Technological advancements are transforming how students learn and connect. Skills acquired through STEM education provide a foundation for success in school and beyond. International research shows 75% of the fastest-growing occupations now require STEM skills. Therefore, it is crucial to equip young people with the skills to thrive as successful, engaged citizens in our complex, dynamic society. (Source)
Why Become a STEM Innovator?
• Strengthening your STEM teaching capabilities enhances educational outcomes, and
• Teaching these key STEM skills through hands-on real-world applications is crucial for preparing students for future careers and a rapidly changing world
Teaching STEM
The STEM Connections research project by ACARA found that STEM understanding, knowledge and skills are strengthened when connections between learning areas are emphasised and when learning areas combine to find authentic learning opportunities for students in answer to an identified problem or in the creation of a solution.
The professional learning courses
Can I log this PD with my State's teaching authority?
Yes! Our courses are mapped to the Australian Professional Teacher Standards (AITSL), and your completion can be logged as elective PD hours with your state's teaching regulatory authority. To do this, grab your certificates of completion from your personal dashboard once each individual course is complete.
How long will this take to complete?
This sequence is designed to be undertaken over the course of a year. 16 hours over 8 Professional learning courses.
Will I get proof of completion?
You will get a cool.org certificate of completion for each individual course you complete.You can access this certificate (and your course progress!) anytime via your personal dashboard. We also offer a certificate for those who reach the innovation level of this pathway. Please email us at info@cool.org
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 NSW and ACT)
- 2.1 Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
- 2.2 Organise content into coherent, well-sequenced learning and teaching program
- 3.2 Plan and implement well-structured learning and teaching programs or lesson sequences that engage students and promote learning.
- 3.3 Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.
- 3.4 Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.
- 6.1 Use the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and advice from colleagues to identify and plan professional learning needs.
- 6.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice, targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
- 6.4 Undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified student learning needs.
Who are the instructors?
The courses in this sequence have been designed by Cool.org's team of education specialists, in consultation with teachers, principals, psychologists, counsellors, and scientists.
Our team continually reviews and refines our resources to align with changes to the Australian Curriculum and best educational practices, so you can be sure your learning is at the cutting edge of education theory.