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STEM Support

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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are essential areas of study that foster students’ skills and prepare them to participate in a rapidly changing world and contribute to Australia’s future development and prosperity.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is supporting the integration of STEM learning in schools by providing programming advice to teachers and by developing practical, hands-on teaching and learning units and classroom activities that allow students to integrate their knowledge from the four STEM disciplines.

Advice on programming integrated STEM

An integrated approach to STEM education provides opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, understanding and problem-solving skills needed to influence scientific and technological developments through innovation. An enhanced understanding of STEM and its real-world applications encourages students to actively contribute to society and to increase their future career opportunities.

This guide provides advice about developing STEM units and implementing them in the classroom.

Unit mapping and cross-curricular collaboration

Teacher collaboration is critical in an integrated approach to STEM learning. Teachers are encouraged to identify when and how this learning may take place.

Individual school contexts allow for a great variety of STEM integrated teaching and learning models to be developed. Integration of content within different subject areas through the development of a project can enhance the content and provide students with authentic, real world contexts where their knowledge and skills can be applied.

Examples of Integrated models

  • Programs developed and delivered by a STEM team.
  • Programs developed by a STEM team and delivered by individual teachers.

Questions to consider when planning

  • How can different content areas be integrated and drive a STEM project?
  • Can the content/project be taught collaboratively?
  • Is there a possibility for team teaching?
  • Can periods be combined or are there consecutive Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics lessons where students can continue to work on their projects?

Planning units:

  • Consider length of time required for the unit or project.
  • Reference the syllabus outcomes to be addressed.
  • Prepare resources and learning spaces.
  • Consider methods of assessment and methods of dealing with failure and celebrating success.

STEM syllabuses

The full range of STEM syllabuses can be found on the NESA website under the Science, Technologies and Mathematics learning areas.

Kindergarten – Year 10

Year 11 – Year 12

Developing a unit

  • The emphasis of STEM is the active involvement of students in the development and production of quality design projects. Design projects consist of a design solution and a design and production folio.
  • Identify the explicit learning and the outcomes that are targeted in the unit.
  • Consult with subject area specialists if necessary.
  • Devise a problem or challenge to be solved or investigated. The project scope should be broad and not limited to only one possible design solution.
  • When developing a problem or challenge promote critical and creative thinking by considering using verbs in your feedback such as: 
    amend, control, develop, enhance, extend, improve, increase, renew or restore. 
  • Include a range of practical activities that enhance teaching and learning of the individual subject area content.
  • Design work is a good vehicle for project-based learning including the development and communication of an informed design solution. Science and Mathematics lend themselves to be incorporated into these solutions.
  • Assessment should be an integral part of each unit of work and should support student learning and engagement.
  • Portfolios of learning that detail the investigation; design, development and its evaluation are recommended. This may be used for formal assessment purposes.
  • Teaching units and programs should recognise and reflect relevant state and Commonwealth legislation, regulations and standards including Workplace Health and Safety, Chemical Safety in Schools and Animal Welfare guidelines.
  • Some activities may require notification, certification, permission, permits and licences.
  • Successful STEM projects are often supported by the community and are sometimes presented to public audiences.

Sample STEM units

NESA has developed and trialled a range of STEM activities and units for Stage 5.

STEM units by subject area

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