Endeavour STEM Education Program
STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through STEM, endeavour students develop key skills including: problem solving, creativity, critical analysis, teamwork, independent thinking, initiative, communication and digital literacy.
At Endeavour we encourage students to design, invent and create from a community of design thinkers and engineers. Our STEM Education Program offers opportunities to participate in the Lego Robotics Challenge, ANSTO STEM Challenge, University Science and Engineering Challenge. Students study programs involving robotics, coding, drones, structures and forces, CAD, 3D printing and Virtual Reality.
In Stage 4 Students are introduced to STEM through enrichment lessons. Students can then select to continue studying STEM through our Stage 5 elective iSTEM, Engineering and Extension Mathematics. In Stage 6 students are offered an array of STEM subjects to continue their STEM education program including Mathematics Extension 1 and 2, Physics, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Engineering Studies.
Why STEM?
The global economy is changing. Current jobs are disappearing due to automation and new jobs are emerging every day as a result of technological advances. The continual advances in technology are changing the way students learn, connect and interact every day. Skills developed by students through STEM provide them with the foundation to succeed at school and beyond. Employer demand for STEM qualifications and skills is high, and will continue to increase in the future. Currently, 75 per cent of jobs in the fastest growing industries require workers with STEM skills. To be competitive, our workforce needs people who can adapt to a changing workplace. STEM empowers individuals with the skills to succeed and adapt to this changing world.
iSTEM Program
Endeavour Sports High School have a partnership with Toyota through the Schools Plus program and we are appreciative for the support and encouragement they provide our school community. STEM started off in 2017 with simple materials consisting of paddle pop sticks, aluminium foil, straws, cardboard and sticky tape. “STEM” days were introduced for Year 7 and Year 8 classes and students worked together in groups to achieve outcomes involving aspects of Science, Technology, Maths and Engineering. Students constructed boats, aeroplanes and towers, learning group skills and having to manage real world scenarios along the way.
The consistent positive feedback and survey results encouraged us to move to next phase of our progress. Timetabled STEM lessons were put in place for most Year 7 and Year 8 classes along with some Year 9 and Year 10 classes. Special Education classes were included in the program as well. Our first round of funding allowed us to purchase a wide range of equipment to trial and gauge its effectiveness in STEM lessons. Some of technology purchased included programmable flying drones, OZOBOT programmable robots, laptops, and a 3D printer. The inventory of STEM equipment was steadily increased and lessons covering aeronautics, computer coding, 3D CAD and 3D printing along with others were taught. A key feature of the program was that all software used was available as free over the internet, allowing interested students to download their own copies at home. In 2018 we offered STEM as a NESA endorsed elective for Years 9 and Years 10.
“It was good because not only were we having fun we were learning at the same time.”
“I thought STEM was great and it helped me get an insight on mathematics, technology, science and engineering jobs.”
Where to now?
From the initial idea of having a class make some drones, our STEM project has now developed into NESA endorsed elective course for Years 9 and 10 covering a wide range topics including Mechatronics, Mechanics, Electrical circuits and devices, Aeronautics, Robotics and the rapid prototyping of designs with CAD/CAM and 3D printing. STEM is now embedded in our school and our Year 7 and Year 8 enrichment classes also continue to participate in STEM lessons. Our iSTEM elective will continue to build its capability with further equipment acquisitions and we are developing a range of industry partners to further assist in preparing our students with the real-world STEM skills sought by employers.
