• STAV Office

STAV calls for Victorian STEM Education Reform

  • February 04, 2025

Science Teachers Association of Victoria (STAV), in conjunction with the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and the Royal Society of Victoria (RSV), today released a position paper on the status of STEM within Victorian education. The report outlines the challenges and issues faced, including the declining student STEM enrolments, which are anticipated to lead to workforce shortages.

STAV President, Alexandra Abela, said “STAV recognises that the drive to foster, engage and stimulate students of Science for real world application requires continuing development of both science, and scientific literacy across the community. As the key source of expertise, inspiration and guidance to students, science teachers deserve greater agency in the creation of and decisions around quality professional learning opportunities and resources that are responsive and relevant to emerging needs.”

The position paper identifies a four-point plan to make STEM skills attractive and accessible for more Victorian students, including cohorts less likely to pursue senior secondary or tertiary STEM education.

  • Raising the status of STEM in the Victorian curriculum, including providing all schools with high-quality resources to best deliver science education from the Foundation years to Year 10
  • Supporting the development and delivery of specialised, practice-based resources for teacher professional development
  • Increasing access to hands-on learning and exposure to STEM careers in schools
  • Uplifting recognition and career pathways for high-performing STEM teachers and their schools

STAV, ATSE and RSV have presented these recommendations to the Victorian Government, as well as to the Coalition’s and the Greens’ education portfolio holders.

STAV welcomes feedback from its members.  To provide feedback and for media enquiries please email [email protected]