STEM Education in Primary Classrooms : Unravelling Contemporary Approaches in Australia and New Zealand

If you were to peer into a primary school classroom somewhere across Australia and New Zealand, you would be forgiven for thinking that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is synonymous with coding and digital technologies. However, while these aspects are important, technology alone does not reflect the broad learning opportunities afforded by STEM. In countering this narrow approach, __STEM Education in Primary Classrooms__ offers a platform for research that innovates, excites and challenges the status quo. It provides educators with innovative and up-to-date research into how to meaningfully and authentically embed STEM into existing classroom practices. It incorporates accurate explanations of STEM as an integrated approach to solving real-world problems, including social issues, along with case studies and stories to bring practice to life in evidence-informed ways. This book showcases the impact of a broader approach to STEM in the primary classroom through Australian-based and New Zealand-based research that will challenge current teaching practices. Thus, this book will be of interest to pre- and in-service primary school teachers, along with researchers and postgraduate students in the STEM education field. If You Were To Peer Into Primary School Classroom Across Australia And New Zealand, You Would Be Forgiven For Thinking That Stem Education Was Synonymous With Coding And Digital Technologies. However, While These Aspects Are Important, Technology Alone Does Not Reflect The Broad Learning Opportunities Afforded By Stem. In Countering This Narrow Approach, Stem Education In Primary Classrooms Offers A Platform For Research That Innovates, Excites And Challenges The Status Quo. It Provides Educators With Innovative And Up-to-date Research Into How To Meaningfully And Authentically Embed Stem Into Existing Classroom Practices. It Incorporates Accurate Explanations Of Stem As An Integrated Approach To Solving Real-world Problems, Including Social Issues, Along With Case Studies And Stories To Bring Practice To Life In Evidence-informed Ways. This Book Showcases The Impact Of A Broader Approach To Stem In The Primary Classroom Through Australian And New Zealand-based Research That Will Challenge Current Teaching Practice. As Such This Book Will Be Of Interest To Pre- And In-service Primary School Teachers, Along With Researchers And Postgraduate Students In The Stem Education Field. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of figures and tables List of contributors Foreword 1 More than coding: positioning STEM education in policy and practice 2 Engaging diverse students in STEM: the five dimensions framework 3 Inquiry-based teaching and learning in primary STEM 4 Learning mathematics through STEM in a play-based classroom 5 A case study of a university-industry STEM partnership in regional Queensland 6 Online citizen science in the classroom: engaging with real science and STEM to develop capabilities for citizenship 7 School—university partnerships as rich STEM learning contexts for pre-service teachers working with primary students 8 What do primary teachers think about STEM education? Exploring cross-cultural perspectives 9 The role of the Maker Faire in STEM engagement: messages for teacher professional development 10 More than STEM: connecting students' learning to community through eco-justice 11 Informal spaces for STEM learning and teaching: STEM clubs Index This book will shift thinking about what STEM education is and how it can be enacted in primary school classroom. Positioned in the Australian and New Zealand context, it draws on stories and anecdotes to bring quality STEM education to the fore and connect with the broader theme of innovation.