According to research conducted by Engineers Australia, there is a concerning decline in the enrolment of secondary students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects. This trend poses a significant risk to the nation’s ability to transition to a knowledge-based job economy.
The Engineers Make Things Happen (published by Engineers Australia) report emphasises the urgent need for government investment in an engineering pipeline strategy to reverse the decline in STEM and engineering enrolments in tertiary education. The report’s findings reveal alarming statistics, such as fewer than 6% of girls nationwide choosing to study Physics in Year 12. Additionally, the numbers for Advanced Mathematics are equally concerning, with only 6.2% of girls and 11.5% of boys participating.
Chris Stoltz, the jobs spokesman for Engineers Australia, has highlighted these figures as a wake-up call that demands immediate attention. He comments: “Australia faces enormous challenges as it transitions from a resources-based economy to a diverse, innovative and technologically based one. The skills required to create and find work in this new economy will be significantly STEM-based. Alarmingly, our research shows fewer and fewer young people are studying the Advanced Science and Maths subjects needed for these types of jobs – Engineering is a case in point.”
STEM at Suncoast Christian College
Year 7 students at Suncoast Christian College are gaining a distinct advantage in their STEM education – in this case, programming Edison Robots using Python. While it is common for schools to limit Edison robots to simply using basic barcodes to program Edisons and use block-based programming like Scratch, Suncoast students are immersed in a more profound and dynamic STEM learning experience.
STEM… Challenge Accepted!
At Suncoast, students are mastering Python to program Edison robots, equipping them with valuable skills and fostering creativity and problem-solving abilities. This hands-on approach ensures that our students are better prepared for the challenges of a rapidly evolving technological landscape, setting them apart in their educational journey. We accept Mr Stoltz’s challenge for Australia to build the nation’s capability to adapt to the change.
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