Coding, Robotics, 3D Printing In The Classroom As Part Of NSW Government Push For STEM

By: Alex Harmon, ellaslist 

School is getting a whole lot cooler with the NSW government's latest investment in digital skills for our future workforces.

Public schools will receive $23 million in funding for a new program that provides every school with access to emerging technology.

The STEM Share Community program intends to help students develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills, including coding, robotics, film making, virtual and augmented reality, and 3D printing.

It aligns with the state’s syllabus and the ICT general capability for the Australian curriculum.

The new digital package will provide both primary and secondary schools with 660 kits containing programmable robots, 360 degree cameras and virtual reality viewers, as well as iPads and laptops, from the start of Term Four in October this year.

It will also provide training to teachers to ensure they are empowered to teach critical thinking and problems solving skills using emerging technologies.

Reach For The Stars

Premier Gladys Berejkilian (pictured above) said the STEM kits had the potential to unlock new pathways for students.

By example she said if they used the virtual reality kits to visit the International Space Station, it might inspire them into a career in the space industry.

Why Teach Kids To Code?

This is like saying why teach our kids to read. Coding is the language of the future, and this future is already here! Research estimates that 75 percent of the fastest growing occupations require STEM knowledge and experience. The digital skills outlined in the new package are not just cool, they teach students to think critically, solve problems creatively, work in teams, communicate clearly in a range of media and continue to learn to engage with new and ever-evolving technologies. 

Looking For A Coding School?

Learn To Code With NexGen Code Camp
Try Tinkertank, Australia's first Maker Space for kids.

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