Transforming STEM education in an innovative Australian School: The role of teachers' and academics' professional partnerships

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    24 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The Australian Science and Mathematics School (ASMS) is a purpose-built innovative senior secondary school situated on the grounds of Flinders University, South Australia. The school was established to address declining enrollments in senior secondary mathematics and science, students' negative attitudes, a shortage of qualified science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers, and a curriculum that lacked relevance to contemporary life. Such research evidence called for transformation in STEM education and acknowledged that teachers' professional learning was central to achieving transformation. A key professional learning strategy employed by the school to transform STEM education was the engagement of teachers and academics as professional partners in developing interdisciplinary curriculum. The value and challenges of the professional partnership are explored in this article, noting the importance of valuing rather than dismissing dissonance between the groups.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)55-63
    Number of pages9
    JournalTheory Into Practice
    Volume53
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2014

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