scott.allen@nallawilli.com – Nallawilli Group

TINKERTANK & ROYAL FAR WEST

STEM, (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, good health is more than the absence of disease or illness; it is a holistic concept that includes physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual wellbeing, for both the individual and the community.

Social and emotional wellbeing is a holistic concept that includes mental health and illness but also encompasses the importance of connection to land, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and how these affect the wellbeing of the individual and the community STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) education is one of the most talked-about approaches for 21st century learners.

This moves beyond simply using the design-process to truly being able to integrate all the arts in and through STEM. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)

The logic is simple: the wave of future economic prosperity lies in a workforce that is well-versed in rising job markets like science, technology, engineering and math.  Thus, the4re has been an increased investment in STEAM initiatives.

STEAM is an integrated approach to learning which requires an intentional connection between standards, assessments and lesson design/implementation True STEAM experiences involve two or more standards from Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the Arts to be taught AND assessed in and through each other Inquiry, collaboration, and an emphasis on process-based learning are at the heart of the STEAM approach. Utilizing and leveraging the integrity of the arts themselves is essential to an authentic STEAM initiative.

Our economy and communities requires so much more than an understanding of these areas – it requires application, creation and ingenuity.  This allows students to connect their learning in these critical areas together with arts practices, elements, design principles, and standards to provide the whole pallet of learning at their disposal.  It removes limitations and replaces them with wonder, critique, inquiry, and innovation.

PEM will support and provide a First Nation access and provide a pathway to build on First Nation emerging leaders natural inquisitive nature allow them to express themselves in new ways.

A growing number of Australian children experience developmental, behavioural and mental health issues that impact on their ability to learn, grow and be happy. These children need services and support as early as possible to give them the best chance of developing to their full potential – but this can be very challenging for children in rural and remote areas. In 2016, it was estimated that more than 100,000 country children who are developmentally vulnerable cannot access the health services they need because of where they live.

PEM and Royal Far West is committed to ensuring that all children can access the specialist services and support that are essential to their growth. They are intervening as early as possible to improve their health, development, learning and life trajectory of children across rural and remote Australia. Working with Royal Far West and TinkerTank which is Australia’s first Maker-Space for everyone, ages 5+. Who is all about teaching STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

They operate little different from your usual club-house, they teach Robotics, Coding and Design to everyone. Catering for after-school, holiday, week-ends and home-educator time slots available every week, where students can create, learn, create, collaborate and construct. Using STEAM education results in students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. These are the innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the 21st century.

Students engage in a wide range of hands-on STEAM activities including but not limited to 3D printing, robotics, animation, design and coding There are so many challenges within each pathway with limitless possibilities. These STEAM based experiences are not only educational but so much fun! Everything we do is project-based, meaningless talking, more action.

Our world is a beautiful, complex, and intricate tapestry of learning all in its own right. Integrating concepts, topics, standards and assessments is a powerful way to disrupt the typical course of events for our students and to help change the merry-go-round of “school.” It takes what we do when we open the doors to the real world and places those same practices in our cycles of teaching and learning. So we can finally remove the brick walls and classroom doors to get at the heart of learning.

This will improve outcomes for children and families and rural and remote communities. Early intervention will lead to long term savings in health, education, justice and social welfare costs, thus enhancing economic productivity through investing in the next generation.