STEM education for Indigenous kids a plus
WELLINGTON High School students attended the STEM Youth Development Camp, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics excursion, at Lake Burrendong Sport and Recreation Centre early this month.
The Aboriginal students learnt about the science behind the boomerang and how it influenced the development of drones.
An initiative of the Department of Education, the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Association, the camp was held over three days, from Wednesday, August 30 to Friday, September 1, 2017.
Approximately 100 Year 5 to 11 students including from Wellington High and across the state, participated.
It is just the second year the initiative has been offered.
Aboriginal Education and Community Engagement for the Department of Education director Mary Senj said the STEM camps have been highly successful and have inspired Aboriginal students to enrol in STEM courses.
“It’s a great opportunity for Aboriginal students to see the connections between science, technology, engineering and mathematics and their cultural knowledge,” Mary said.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Association chair Dr Chris Matthews has been instrumental in arranging academics for the workshop sessions.
The students will also visit the CSIRO Parkes Observatory.
The President of the AECG, Cindy Berwick, said: “The camps are important for Aboriginal students to see the connection between cultural practices and modern technology and how incorporating both will lead to sustainable futures for both Aboriginal communities and the broader Australian community.
“The NSW AECG is committed to ensuring students see Aboriginal knowledges, histories and cultures in their teaching and learning.”
A similar camp was held in Sydney earlier this year and another will be held in Batemans Bay in October.