Our 6-week, primary school STEM program is targeted at Year 5 and 6 students, parents and teachers, to catalyse generational perception change and build confidence and interest in exploring with STEM.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
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STEM x Play aims to address the under-representation of girls studying engineering and IT in primary school by providing an in-curriculum, hands-on experience with STEM in an inclusive classroom environment. By intervening early and providing multiple interactions with relatable role models, the program increases girls’ interest, confidence and identity with STEM, and works with teachers and families to engage girls in STEM learning and play.
In 2025, STEMxPlay is expected to reach 1500 students in years 5-6 and 38 teachers from 14 schools across NSW.
The program is focused around students applying the design thinking process to solve problems linked to a unit of the curriculum, developing scientific investigation and digital technologies skills to design and prototype solutions.
Program design
- 1 x 2-hour lesson per week for 6 weeks
- UTS students and industry professionals mentor students to think critically and troubleshoot designs
- Teachers co-facilitate with UTS students to learn new skills and knowledge alongside students
- Families engage with the program through digital communications and celebrate student outcomes at the end-of-program project showcase
Program outcomes
- Girls interest in STEM activities increased with the exception of coding
- Girls confidence increased for designing, solving problems and building things and decreased for coding and experimenting
- Student perceptions of STEM positively shifted with greater awareness of its ubiquity
- Student perceptions of STEM professionals shifted away from negative stereotypes as a result of role modelling
- Teachers perceived the program positively for student engagement and there were positive impacts on the integration of STEM in the classroom post-program
- Families would like to see the program run again at both the student’s primary and high schools
View STEM x Play Outcomes Summary
It has changed my ideas of STEM because it’s not just about programming…it’s more about finding solutions.
Year 5 girl
Information for families
Families play a key role in influencing student interests and confidence in STEM. Find out more about the program and how families can join their children in STEM exploration at home.
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Does your organisation share our vision and values of gender equity?
Get in touch to start collaborating with us.