STEM education for everyone Friday, 23 June 2017

Ardoch Youth Foundation is helping disadvantaged students across Australia access STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education to ensure students are equipped with the skills for the future.

The foundation aims to increase engagement in education, build aspirations and enhance learning outcomes through tailored programs delivered to children in disadvantaged communities. In 2016, 1,1461 volunteers supported the education of nearly 12,000 children across Australia.

Ardoch Youth Foundation CEO, Kylee Bates said students in disadvantaged communities are particularly at risk of disengaging with STEM subjects early.

 “We want to ensure that these students are well placed to realise future employment opportunities in STEM-related jobs… as the fastest jobs of the future are going to be STEM-related”, said Ms Bates.

The  charity runs a number of programs in the STEM space.

One program, Numeracy Buddies matches students (Little Buddies) with volunteer professionals (Big Buddies) to solve maths problems together via an online blog. It is a fun and interactive way to engage the students with maths beyond the classroom and introduce them to role models working in STEM related fields.

“The program piloted in 2015 and last year was delivered to seven schools with 216 pairs of buddies exchanging nearly 4,356 blogs”, said Ms Bates.

There is also an emphasis on robotics to engage students in STEM. Ardoch  provides LEGO robotics kits and teacher training programs so student teams can enter in competitions such as FIRST LEGO League – building a robot that tackles a real world problem.

In the program, professionals and university students volunteer their time assisting the teams solve the problem and creating the robot.

Last year an Ardoch supported team of Year 5 and 6 students won second place at the Victorian FIRST LEGO League, going on to compete in the national competition and receiving 5th place in the Robotics category.

“This is a great example of how children can overcome socio-economic disadvantage to excel in their education through the combined support of philanthropy, community and workplaces”, said Ms Bates.

Ardoch is also aiming to develop a STEM Literacies Program for the Early Years with a partner university targeting children aged zero to five years.

“In an increasingly technological world we cannot afford to leave students behind and a lack of STEM-ready students means that we will not have STEM-capable workers in the future to drive our economy forward. 

“Our programs seek to redress early the inequalities that emerge as a result of educational disadvantage”, said Ms Bates.

To find out more about Ardoch Youth Foundation or volunteering in the Numeracy Buddies or the LEGO Robotics programs, visit the website.

Image: Year 3 students engaged in a Ardoch Youth Foundation workshop, courtesy of Ardoch Youth Foundation.