Shape the next gen

Want a rewarding, secure STEM career that will make a big impact? Become a teacher!

Being a STEM educator means you’ll get to inspire and guide future scientists, engineers and tech leaders. Remember that feeling when you finally ‘got’ a tricky maths problem, or your curiosity was sparked by a cool science project? Imagine the buzz seeing one of your students’ faces light up when the same thing happens to them! Not only will you be making a difference in your students’ lives, you’ll also be making the world a better place. Keep reading for more insights on becoming someone’s favourite STEM teacher. –

Stats class*

STEM is the future. Don’t believe us? We’ll let the stats* do the talking…

1.9 million Predicted number of people working in STEM by 2024

2nd STEM Education and Training is the second highest employer of uni STEM-qualified workers

21% Of Australia’s uni STEMqualified workforce are under the age of 30

82% Of Aussie employers confirm STEM qualifications are valuable

What does it all mean? There will be a bunch of job opportunities in STEM education to teach, guide and inform future generations. Winning!

Self-reflection time

Pippa Duffy

*Sources: STEM Careers List for Australia: Future Jobs ; Australia’s STEM Workforce Report July 2020 ; Deloitte Australia’s STEM Workforce: A Survey of Employers

9 ways to teach STEM like a boss

Based on some serious changes by the Education Council of Aus and on the back of The National STEM School Education Strategy (see below), the Australian Government has landed on these nine principles on how to teach STEM effectively. The guide sets out ways to engage students in the classroom so kids keep learning and stay keen.

1Inquiry-based learning: helps build active learners.

2Solve real-world problems: shows the relevance of STEM in the RW and motivates interest.

3Integrated STEM learning: shows how different STEM disciplines work together.

4Equip and empower teachers: makes sure teachers are supported to engage students. (Yay future you!)

5Create partnerships between schools, industry and community: helps students to see what they learn in the classroom at work, IRL.

6Engage parents and families: gets adults excited about what students are learning so they’ll stick with it.

7Use tech as an enabler: helps students learn more efficiently.

8Differentiate for different levels: adapts the curriculum so anyone can learn it.

9Link STEM education to 21st century learning: values the skills students need to take into daily work life.

The National STEM School Education Strategy is the government’s plan for science, technology, engineering and maths. Education ministers from every state and territory agreed to it back in 2015, but the program is committed to run through to 2026 which means PLENTY of jobs ahead.

Starting salaries

In

NT $77,047 WA $78,397 SA $74,769

School’s in

Public education has the highest enrolments of students across Australian schools* –which means more classrooms to teach in – but there are other options for education grads to consider. Check our comparison snapshot here…

Public

• 65.1% enrolments

• Government-run and funded

• Specific state or territory guidelines for teachers

• Curriculum is set by the education departments per state or territory

• Little to no fees involved for students

Private (Catholic/ Religious)

• 19.5% enrolments

• Governed by the specific religious denomination that funds the school

• Curriculum usually involves teaching a religious-based subject

• Fees related for students to attend

Private (Independent)

• 15.4% enrolments

• Independently run and operated

• Curriculum needs to meet education standards but can offer different subjects or in some cases the International Baccalaureate

• Fees related for students to attend

QLD $75,471 NSW $73,737

ACT $72,511

$73,499 TAS $64,699

Career Paths

Completed your degree? Here’s where a STEM education qualification could take you…

✔ Classroom teacher

✔ Head teacher TAS (Technological and Applied Studies)

✔ STEM tutor

✔ STEM research instructor

✔ Government policy officer in STEM education

✔ EduTech educator