2015
The Australian Government called for 'a renewed national focus on STEM in school education':
- citing growth in science, technology and healthcare at 1.5 times that of other jobs in recent years
- identifying STEM education as critical to Australia?s continued innovation and productivity.
The National STEM Education Strategy 2016 - 2026:
- aims to 'facilitate effective partnerships with tertiary education providers, business and industry'
- suggests that that STEM is mostly focused on teaching and learning, within schools, with industry as a key STEM education partner.
Building STEM capacity across the population is critical in helping to support innovation and productivity. STEM literacy is increasingly becoming part of the core capabilities that Australian employers seek.
2018
The Education Council established the STEM Partnerships Forum chaired by Dr Alan Finkel AO, Chief Scientist of Australia.. The forum:
- comprised of 17 leaders from industry and the education sector,
- consulted widely to facilitate a more strategic approach to school-based partnerships with industry to develop student STEM engagement, aspiration, capability and attainment.
- report, Optimising STEM Industry-School Partnerships: Inspiring Australia's Next Generation recommends that schools engage with industry and other partners to develop and implement high quality, contemporary teaching practices in the science, technology and mathematics learning areas.