Opportunities and Obstacles for STEM Education - Dean's Lecture Series 2017

Explore the opportunities and challenges of STEM education in this 52-minute Dean's Lecture Series talk from the University of Melbourne. Delve into the various interpretations of STEM education, its potential impact on student interest and achievement, and the implementation challenges faced by schools and teachers. Learn about the longitudinal research needed to determine the effects of STEM education on students, teachers, and schools. Gain insights from Professor Jan van Driel, a world-leading scholar in science education, as he discusses misconceptions, the importance of critical thinking, and the role of teachers in STEM education. Examine the concept of interdisciplinarity, the essence of research, and potential solutions to persistent problems in STEM education. Discover how STEM education can make a difference and what elements are missing in current approaches.

Introduction
Welcome
Why is STEM important
The obsession with rankings
Students need STEM skills
Misconceptions
New skills agenda
Victorian curriculum
Multiple choice
Seed
Critical thinking
Problems
Solutions
Conceptual Change
The problem persists
Why is STEM education more successful
Cross or multidisciplinary or integration
Core activities
The essence of research
Potential misconceptions
The role of teachers
Teachers beliefs
PhD studies
Design team approach
How can STEM education make a difference
What is missing in STEM education
How to best use teachers expertise