Crystallising STEM Careers

The Crystallising STEM Careers project was provided from November 2021 to March 2023, as part of the National Careers Institute Partnership Grants Round 2 grant opportunity. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment and the university of the Sunshine Coast. The aim of the project was to bring about systemic change in STEM career uptake by preparing Year 4 – 10 students to make informed decisions about engaging in STEM subjects at school, future transition into tertiary studies and STEM careers.

I have learnt that future careers will rely heavily on skills like critical and creative thinking, collaboration and problem solving. These skills can be developed via the delivery of STEM learning.

– Teacher

The project delivered innovative STEM-focused career and technical education (CTE) face-to-face in a series of lessons with students in schools and via interactive workshops for parents/carers.

The Crystallising STEM Careers project provided a unique and valuable opportunity for students and parents/carers in the South East QLD North, Wide Bay Burnett and Central QLD regions.

Survey findings – Year 4 students

Findings from our Year 4 survey (n=499) indicated that 66% of students felt more confident to undertake STEM activities and 60% were now more aware of STEM career options. Understandably, some Year 4 students may not have thought about careers prior to the project and results indicated that 42% of students felt more likely to consider a STEM career with 32% of students still unsure. When the students were asked if they are now more likely to consider going to university or TAFE in the future, 51% agreed and 30% were unsure. When students were asked about their developing skills in perseverance, 90% of the students identified that if they persevered they could solve the challenges in the lessons. 71% of students were inspired to continue learning in Science, 73% in Mathematics and 90% agreeing that they were inspired to continue learning in Technologies. These results indicate that engaging students as young as Year 4 in STEM-focused CTE, can inspire and motivate them to have positive capability beliefs and attitudes to STEM, increase interest in STEM subjects at school, and increase awareness of STEM careers.

Crystallising STEM Careers funding

The project was provided as part of the National Careers Institute Partnership Grants Round 2 grant opportunity. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment, University of the Sunshine Coast and SheMaps.