This month, we’ve been finding out how Parklands Christian College introduced a STEM Studies elective. Here, Kristie Schulz talks about student assessment and reflects on some of the highlights and challenges of the last 12 months.

Findings from an evaluation of upper primary and middle school students’ science inquiry skills suggest there is room for improvement in implementing an inquiry-based teaching approach, at least in terms of students’ abilities to undertake scientific inquiry.

Brisbane’s Parklands Christian College has introduced a new STEM Studies elective for Year 10. Lead Teacher of Mathematics and Science Kristie Schulz explains the course design and implementation process.

In 2017, Parklands Christian College in Brisbane launched a new elective for Year 10s called STEM Studies. In this first instalment of a three-part series, Kristie Schulz – Lead Teacher of Mathematics and Science – explains how the journey began.

In Australia scholarly articles and media reports regularly state that between 30 and 50 per cent of teachers leave the profession within the first five years. But, where do those figures come from and how accurate are they? A study published in the Australian Journal of Education suggests there is no robust Australian evidence and data.

New research has found learning in nature has a significant positive impact on engagement back in the classroom, with educators able to teach for almost twice as long without having to pause and redirect students’ attention.

During her keynote address at the ACER’s Research Conference, Distinguished Professor Viviane Robinson said, ‘If a problem has persisted in your area of responsibility, then you, by definition, are part of the problem.’ Afterwards, she sat down with Jo Earp to discuss this further.

When two senior Music teachers saw a need to improve the quality of student’s home practice of chosen instruments, they implemented a strategy of solitary, deliberate music practice. In consultation with the school’s Master Teacher, they developed a model aimed at improving student learning outcomes.

Associate Professor Linda Hobbs joins The Research Files to talk about a new Australian study exploring girls’ participation and engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects.

These high school educators have developed an intervention program for disengaged male students that mixes weekly lessons with intensive physical training sessions and challenges.