Marcus Butler
9 December 2015: A new research centre aiming to boost the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has opened its doors at the University of Canberra.
The STEM Education Research Centre (SERC) will focus on developing the research that will better inform policy around learning and the school curricula.
SERC will be led by University of Canberra Centenary Research Professor Tom Lowrie. Professor Lowrie and his research team are already undertaking research in Australia and internationally, including a $2.6million project to improve the quality of teaching and learning in mathematics classrooms in Indonesia.
-
Professor Tom Lowrie and Year Six students from Macquarie Primary School take part in an orienteering exercise to build their spatial awareness. Photo: Michelle McAulay
"STEM education is central to innovation and citizen wellbeing," Professor Lowrie said. "Mathematics knowledge and technological skills are essential for every persons long term wellbeing and health. One of the best ways to promote such knowledge and skills is developing an individual's spatial reasoning.
"Spatial skills such as wayfinding and navigating appear to be less important in our technology-rich and GPS worlds. However, these skills are important for mathematical reasoning especially associated with spatial orientation.
"Activities like orienteering are not only great fun for children, but useful in developing spatial awareness, map reading and direction," he said.
Professor Lowrie added that SERC would also investigate methods of encouraging educators to invest their passion and energy into STEM subjects to increase students' engagement in these subjects.
"Engaged teachers, empowered with knowledge and enthusiasm for STEM subjects are going to benefit their students throughout their career and hopefully pass on those same skills to colleagues as well," Professor Lowrie said.
He said SERC's work is perfectly aligned with the goals of the Australian Government's Innovation Statement released earlier this week: earmarking $62 million for STEM literacy programs and to encourage women and girls into the sector.
Among the current projects underway within SERC are:
- Celebrating Success: Numeracy in remote Indigenous contexts which is being investigated by Professor in education - equity and pedagogy Robyn Jorgensen. Supported with an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant.
- Promoting mathematics engagement and learning opportunities for disadvantaged communities in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia which is lead by Professor Lowrie and supported in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government Partnerships for Development.
- Processing graphical information in digital environments: Visuospatial reasoning in mathematics which is being investigated by Professor Lowrie and supported with an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant.
