Meet the education needs of the future – Master of Education Research (STEM)
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Master of Education Research (STEM)
Rapid changes in the educational landscape, largely driven by the unprecedented impact of globalisation and information communication technologies ( ICTs), have accelerated the need for teachers, educators, educational leaders as well as other education stakeholders to be well equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet the education needs of the future.
The Master of Education Research ( STEM) aims to help enhance students’ knowledge in areas of science, digital and information technologies, engineering, and mathematics, with a particular focus on and application to how these can be integrated into and across a range of educational contexts.
What will students study?
The Master of Education Research ( STEM) is a supervised research degree that requires candidates to propose, design and implement a significant research project in the field of STEM education. The program includes a onesemester coursework stage and a three-semester thesis stage.
In the coursework stage candidates undertake four compulsory research training units which are intended to equip students with the knowledge and skills to design a STEM education research project, conduct a literature review, use quantitative and/ or qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, and prepare a research and ethics proposal.
Admission criteria
Minimum of three- year undergraduate degree* in a STEM** discipline, with a Grade Point Average of a Credit or above, combined with relevant industry experience, or
A bachelor (honours) OR master degree* in a STEM** disci
pline, and 1,000-word expression of interest (EOI).
Equivalent overseas qualifications must be recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR).
** Applicants from other disciplines may be considered based on merit. Evidence of relevant skills, industry experience, and capacity to undertake a STEM- based research project is required.
*** Applicants are required to submit an expression of interest ( EOI) of approximately 1,000 words, to demonstrate their field of expertise, the broad areas within which they wish to position their research, and how their STEM speciality aligns to Education.
In particular, the purpose of the EOI is to:
demonstrate the extent to which
the research project will result in a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge
showcase an applicant's mastery of subject knowledge and familiarity with current research trends
show evidence of how an applicant's area of specialisation and varied levels of expertise are linked to educational settings
match an applicant's research area with potential supervisors in terms of disciplinary orientation and research interests.
AND
In addition to the criteria above, applicants whose qualifying undergraduate studies were taken in a language other than English will be required to demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to the IELTS Academic minimum overall result
of 6.5 with no band score below 6.0. Equivalent test requirements are as follows: TOEFL iBT ( internetbased) = 79 (no score less than 20); PTE Academic = 58 (no score less than 51).
Dr Sandy Nicoll, Lecturer in Master of Education Research ( STEM), PhD, Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Education & Work, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Teach ( Primary), Applied Science Diploma ( Nursing). Dr Sandy has been involved in education for 3 decades predominantly in low socio- economic primary/ elementary schools such as Mt Druitt in Sydney N. S. W. Her passion for inclusion for all drives all aspects of life to include being an advocate for preservice teachers and girls. She has worked at Macquarie
University and the University of Newcastle as a generalist primary lecturer.
Prior to working in Higher Education, she worked in various roles in primary schools including acting school executive, leading numerous committees, conducting Professional Development ( PD) courses and a classroom teacher.
Research Interests: Dr Sandy is on research teams as an early career researcher in areas to include preservice teachers, inclusion and responding to global matters such as COVID-19. She is a peer reviewer of books on professional experience for preservice teachers in the 21st century. Her research interests include inclusion of all ( especially girls), STE( A) M, engagement, preservice teachers, agency, social media, social justice, policy, and leadership. Current Projects and Associations: Dr Sandy is the founder, maker and curator of The New Brew Podcast and has an active online presence on social media as part of her PhD recommendations.
Dr Sandy is a member of ICTENSW ( ICT Educat o r s Association (NSW) and Australian Association for Research Education (AARE).