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Over 1.1 billion simulations delivered

160interactive simulations

97language translations

3001teacher-submitted lessons

Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.

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Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.

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STEM growth: Getting students interested in the sciences

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Research suggests real-world problem solving and game-based learning can encourage participation and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as Deirdre Jackson reports. Graduates with skills in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields contribute significantly to the Australian economy.

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Article about language and literacy learning and STEM

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Article about language and literacy learning and STEM

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A paper which looks at how LOTE (Languages Other Than English) can incorporate aspects of STEM subjec

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For those interested in the research surrounding STEM. This includes all aspects of learning including other curriculum areas and their links to STEM

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The International Journal of STEM Education is a multidisciplinary journal in subject-content education that focuses on the study of teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It is being established as a brand new, forward looking journal in the field of education.

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Brought to you by Stanford University. Great Resources and lots of professional reading, activities and learning ideas.

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At youcubed, we inspire, educate and empower teachers of mathematics, transforming the latest research on mathematics learning into accessible and practical forms.

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Cambridge University shares their wealth of knowledge to develop better mathematical thinkers. With activities, professional reading and an extensive list of resources this is a one stop shop when it comes to Mathematics.

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Students

In case you missed our Primary and Secondary Challenges during the summer break, we are continuing to feature them, so you can enjoy them for another month

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NRICH - Mathematics Resources for Teachers, Parents and Students to Enrich Learning

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The Nrich Maths Project Cambridge,England. Mathematics resources for children,parents and teachers to enrich learning. Problems,children's solutions,interactivities,games,articles.

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Does STEM matter in education?

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There has been wide support throughout the education sector for future primary school teachers to have a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and languages to strengthen teaching in those curriculum areas.

While there are still concerns on the growing demands placed on primary schools teachers across Australia and the lack of resources available, the move to recommend a specialisation for primary school teachers has garnered support.

The Federal Government's Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group report Action Now: Classroom Ready Teachers released last month has been hailed a blueprint for "critical and lasting reform" of teacher education. Led by Professor Greg Craven, the Advisory Group was asked to make practical recommendations on improving teacher education programs to better prepare teachers with the skills they need for the classroom, with one of the main recommendations being a specialisation for primary school teachers with a focus on STEM and languages.

Stephen Dinham, National President of the Australian College of Educators and Chair of Teacher Education and Director of Learning and Teaching at the University of Melbourne, told Education Matters that there are two main reasons why the demands on the average primary school teacher had become untenable.

"One is the fact that the social demands on schools have become more and more and more and every time there's a social problem, it gets given to schools to solve," he said. "Also, there's been great pressure on schools to list their results in the light of things like NAPLAN and so forth.

"Now, for primary teachers in particular, trying to be an expert in every area of the curriculum is quite problematic and we know, for example, two areas that people struggle with are maths and science, in some cases.

"At the moment, there are some teachers who go into primary teaching, and they haven't done the higher levels of maths and science in high school," he added. "They admit themselves they lack confidence and in some cases competence in teaching maths and science, so those are two areas where I think we can certainly do a degree of specialisation."

Dinham also highlighted languages as another key area of specialisation for primary teachers that's worth investing in, but stressed extra resources will be needed to make it a reality.

"Everybody talks about the need for students to learn another language but the trouble with this is we haven't got a sufficient supply of language teachers," he said.

"That's another area where you can't expect the average primary teacher to suddenly pick up another language and there's some other areas too where we need some specialist support in schools.

"If there is a whole range of these social expectations that are being placed on schools, which gives you an overcrowded curriculum as a result, then we need paraprofessionals in there to work alongside teachers - we need more psychologists, we need more social workers, and we need more health experts - because you can't expect teachers to do all of that."

Glenn Finger, Professor of Education and Dean (Learning and Teaching) of the Arts, Education and Law Group at Queensland's Griffith University echoed similar thoughts.

"In my view, the requirement for primary teachers to have a specialisation in mathematics, science and languages is a much needed approach," he said. "This will certainly strengthen teaching in those curriculum areas and has been welcomed.

"I can see that these can be designed into four-year undergraduate primary teacher education programs, but will be challenging for two-year equivalent postgraduate initial teacher education programs, where there is less volume of learning available to develop both the breadth of curriculum and the depth. For example, some postgraduate students might not have completed undergraduate programs in mathematics, science or languages, so this will be challenging."

Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe said it's important for teachers to have access to broad curriculum expertise, which is very important for a child's development as a whole, but you can't implement provisions around having specialist teachers in place without looking at the resources that will need to be in place to support that.

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Calls mount for primary school teacher STEM focus -

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There has been wide support throughout the education sector for future primary school teachers to have a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and languages to strengthen teaching in those curriculum areas.

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10 Best STEM Resources K-12 according to the American NEA

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10 Best STEM Resources K-12 according to the American NEA

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Yes, once again American but still very useful resoures!

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Yes it is American but there are some useful resources here. Just be aware that it is based on American Curriculums not Australian. Be discerning with what you choose. Signing up as a teacher is free.

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PBS LearningMedia | Teaching Resources For Students And Teachers

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Inspire your students with thousands of free teaching resources including videos, lesson plans, and games aligned to state and national standards.

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PBS Early Childhood and Primary School Focus

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PBS Early Childhood and Primary School Focus

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Search the topics! You will find all sorts.

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Education resources for schools teachers and students - ABC Education

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ABC Education has 5000+ educational games, videos and teaching resources for schools and students. Free Primary and Secondary resources covering history, science, English, maths and more

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ENGQUEST is a site which runs an engineering competition every year. This site also has valuable resources for teaching engineering. All you do is sign up as a teacher and you can gain access to everything.

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EngQuest allows lower primary to middle years students to participate in educational engineering activities involving science, technology and mathematics.

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Symbaloo Page of Space Science Resources

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Symbaloo Page of Space Science Resources

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STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These curriculum areas in education are the areas where less and less learners are taking up opportunities in careers.

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youtube science channels and playlists for learning