University-wide STEM strategy
We're committed to ensuring all young people, regardless of background, know about the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and the career opportunities open to them.
Our STEM strategy includes:
- increasing STEM engagement activities with schools
- developing educational tools and resources for primary, middle and secondary level curricula
- increasing pathways and offering more scholarships to widen participation of targeted groups
- providing professional development and training opportunities for STEM teachers
- engaging with STEM-related professions through industry talks and projects
- celebrating excellence and innovation in research.
STEM courses and delivery
We have reinvigorated our courses across our faculties to combine a powerhouse of study areas in STEM, urban development and the arts. Future graduates will need to lead progress and change through innovation and sustainability, and we believe our STEM study areas are driving this change right around the world.
Our commitment to STEM includes our Science and Engineering Centre, a world-class facility that combines innovative use of physical space with leading technology. Courses in the STEM disciplines have been redeveloped to maximise these innovative spaces, allowing our students to experience a hands-on and engaging approach to learning.
We support student learning in maths, science, engineering and technology topics to enhance student success. An award-winning team of specialist educators and trained students deliver group-based and individualised support, accessible online and on campus, and supplemented by online learning resources.
Research in STEM
Our research delivers real-world outcomes: shaping research agendas across STEM, developing ideas that are transforming the way industry and government practise and generating evidence to improve our understanding of how learners and educators engage with STEM.
The STEM Education Research Group draws on a range of approaches to evaluate the major issues facing teaching and learning in STEM, understand how young people engage with STEM concepts and inform policy to improve the STEM capabilities of teachers and students.
Women in STEM
Women are under-represented in STEM fields, and we're committed to bridging the gender gap. By creating a more diverse team of researchers and leaders, we'll open doors to unexplored areas of STEM research, and provide new perspectives.
Our commitment to gender equity
High school engagement
We're dedicated to increasing STEM participation and study in high schools, and building awareness of STEM disciplines with the next generation of university students.
Our Young Accelerators program offers free workshops and resources for STEM teachers at all high school levels, and our widening participation program brings STEM resources to underserved schools and communities.
We're also leading the Step Up project - an initiative supported by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching that seeks to make a serious and significant change to the way in which science and mathematics are being taught. We're leading the project in partnership with the Australian Catholic University, Griffith University, James Cook University and the University of Queensland.
As part of Step Up, we're piloting The STEM Studio, where scientists work with teachers to design innovative learning activities to engage school students in learning difficult or abstract concepts.
Widening participation in STEM
We work with schools and students who need support and more exposure to the possibilities of STEM study, with an emphasis on low income, rural and Indigenous students in Caboolture and Brisbane’s north. The Extreme Science and Engineering van travels to primary and high schools to provide free hands-on curriculum aligned workshops in STEM fields.