STEM Report Released in South Australia
Our members have an ongoing and vital interest in promoting the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education of South Australian students. The quality of the education students receive today will be reflected in the speed of economic and social progress of South Australia tomorrow.
South Australia’s economic future will be balanced by our ability to invest and reap rewards from a strong skills base and skilled workforce. The current shortage of members of the engineering team has the very real potential of hindering the economic and social progress of South Australia.
The relative decline in the STEM capability and literacy of South Australian school students sounds warning bells that we will simply not have enough STEM professionals to meet our future needs.
It is no exaggeration to say this is a very serious situation that requires decisive remedial action by the government.
Central to the creation of a strong skills base is our education system. Opportunities allowing children to excel in STEM subjects at school and to then choose further study in engineering are an investment in our future. There is no doubt that attracting more students to study and choose careers in STEM is vital for South Australia’s future and essential if the State is to achieve the targets of the South Australia Strategic Plan.
While South Australia has a comprehensive and inclusive education system that performs well under international comparisons, there is a need to mobilise schools to improve the STEM capability and literacy of students. Currently there is very little in the primary school curriculum to allow children to enhance their capability and literacy in STEM. In secondary school, many students lose interest in STEM subjects and despite showing potential, turn away from these courses. There is an urgent need for reprioritisation in schools, staffing and curricula to overcome this problem.
The following report examines the challenges facing STEM education and promotion in South Australia. It identifies areas where South Australia is already doing well and opportunities for improvement in the future.
Engineers Australia, the peak professional body for engineering practitioners, presents this report to provide input into future discussion and activities to enhance the technological capacity of the South Australian education system.
