2023 STEM Conference (Years 6–11)

Friday 1 December 2023

Flinders University

Theme: STEM Connections

The 2023 STEM Conference will bring together science, mathematics, design and technologies and digital technologies teachers, classroom teachers, leaders in education and businesses who are interested in sharing and exploring teaching methods, tools, resources, and related activities for implementing Maths, Science & STEM education into our schools and communities.

Ideas that can support this theme are:

• The connection between maths and science
• The convergence of industry and technology
• Industry connections with STEM learning in schools
• The emergence of AI and its connection to STEM learning
• Social justice as a consideration in STEM pathways and industry
• Emerging technologies and their connection to how STEM is taught
• Connections for students between classroom learning in STEM and future work and  learning opportunities
• Developing school–industry STEM initiatives
• Ongoing partnerships between science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals and teachers in schools

Keynote Presentation: Innovation through Collaboration

Professor Giselle Rampersad, Flinders University

Professor Giselle Rampersad is the Dean (Education) in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University with responsibility for STEM courses in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, Computer Science and Cybersecurity. She is also a Professor in Innovation and Co-Director of the Centre for Defence Engineering Research and Training at Flinders University. She was named STEMM Educator of the Year in 2021 in the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards and is the Director for the multi-award-winning Diploma of Digital Technologies. Under her leadership, it received national recognition, winning the Australian Defence Industry Award for the Training and Mentorship Program of the Year in 2020, by Defence Connect. It also won the Industry Collaboration award at the SA Training Awards in 2021. The program is undertaken by employees from BAE Systems Australia, a range of defence primes, small and medium sized enterprises, STEM teachers and Wine/AgTech companies, with the program reaching 50% participation by women. She leads various major defence research projects including with Defence Science and Technology Group. She has an interdisciplinary educational background including a PhD in Innovation and Technology Management (Australia) and an MSc in Computing (Durham University, UK).

Professor Rampersad's presentation will demonstrate the conference theme and will cover:

• Innovating our State and opportunities for transforming the future
• The important role of STEM
• The convergence of industry and technology
• Industry connections with STEM learning in schools
• Social justice as a consideration in STEM pathways and industry
• Emerging technologies and their connection to how STEM is taught
• Connections for students between classroom learning in STEM and future work and  learning opportunities
• Developing school–industry STEM initiatives
• Ongoing partnerships between science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals and teachers in schools

Photo credit: South Australian Museum and Randy Larcombe

Hosted by the South Australian Science Teachers Association and the Mathematical Association of South Australia.

Gold Sponsors

Exhibitors