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With virtually all aspects of modern life dominated by digital technologies, it is critical that educators raise up a generation of students that can thrive in this brave new world.

To support this cause, the Federal government’s new Australian Curriculum recognises that digital technologies like mobile and desktop devices and networks are transforming learning, recreational activities, home life and work – that digital systems support new ways of collaborating and communicating, and require new skills such as computational and systems thinking.[I]

What does STEM look like at Suncoast?

What is STEM?

is the acronym that refers to teaching and learning in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Its importance science and digital technologies in our society was eloquently stated by US President who, in his 1790 First State of the Union Address to the stated:

“There is nothing which can better deserve your patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.”[ii]

Why ������ϲʿ���ֱ�� embraces Digital Technologies

In 2015-16 the College experimented with Hour of Code – where students spent an hour each week learning the foundations of computer coding. This was so successful that within the context of the new Digital Technologies curriculum, coding then became embedded into classroom routines. Media, content, and conversations have developed around the concept of computer coding; however, this makes up a small part of the .

The current generation of students are the “C” Generation; creative, collaborative, communicative and connected and technology enriches education and empowers this new learning paradigm. In the same way, stationery allows individuals to pen thoughts, create images and craft objects, technology enables people to type, design and share their work to an audience bigger than the classroom.

������ϲʿ���ֱ�� Principal, Mr. Greg Mattiske comments; “We embrace the core rationale of the new curriculum – that students should not just consume content, but be creators of digital content and solutions.”

P-12 Instructional Designer, Digital Technologies Mr. Adam King comments; “Our approach is not just to integrate technology or disguise digital learning through blended approaches. Rather we are training and empowering our teachers to become learning architects who fluidly, deliberately and intentionally deliver digital literacy for this new generation of digital natives.”

At ������ϲʿ���ֱ�� we believe students thrive when they work at designing solutions to problems and encounter optimum learning – learning which both celebrates success but also embraces the powerful notion of success through failure.

������ϲʿ���ֱ�� Principal, Mr. Greg Mattiske comments; “When activities are designed to blur the boundaries between subject disciplines, students collaborate meaningfully with peers and rely on each other’s skills and talents to leverage learning and improve outcomes.”

STEM learning opportunities such as robotics, allows children to make predictions, test their theories and develop unique ideas. From concept to design, we witness our students in an exhilarating battle where learning is grand as they test their products and improve their creations.

The specific benefits we have witnessed from embracing STEM throughout primary and secondary education are:

Knowledge transfer: STEM integration can improve a student’s ability to transfer knowledge and skills across a variety of learning areas.

Teamwork and collaboration: Like , STEM education is inherently collaborative. Our approach to STEM in the classroom encourages students to improve their capacity to collaborate with each other.

New collaborators – new friends:  Within an open-ended STEM education, children often work with peers with whom they would not typically interact.

Communication:  Assists students to become more adept at communicating ideas and information –  in particular to a diversity of audiences via group discussions and oral presentations, text, visual/symbolic representations, and physical models.

Working to your strengths: Typically, students adopt work roles that appeal to their strengths, increasing their engagement, interest, and excitement for learning.

Problem Solving: At ������ϲʿ���ֱ�� we believe students thrive when they work at designing solutions to problems and encounter optimum learning – learning which both celebrates success but also embraces the powerful notion of success through failure.

Open-ended Learning: Students enjoy open-ended challenges that encourage creativity.

Persistence: Within the STEM context, students are required to solve real-world problems that have the effect of developing within them, persistence, independence and success bred from failures.

What activities and experiences are within Digital Technologies at Suncoast?

������ϲʿ���ֱ��’s digital technologies curriculum creates immersive digital experiences in everyday classroom activities, plus after-school activities and electives to extend the students’ learning.

As Mr. Adam King comments; “The current generation of students are the C Generation; creative, collaborative, communicative and connected and technology enriches education and empowers this new learning paradigm. In the same way, stationery allows individuals to pen thoughts, create images and craft objects, technology enables people to type, design and share their work to an audience bigger than the classroom.”

The essential problem-solving toolkit available to Suncoast students includes:

• laptops and tablet computers
• Ozobots
• BeeBots
• LittleBits
• 3D Printer
• Makey Makey

In addition to Digital Technologies lessons, students have the opportunity to be involved in – a global competition where students are able to design, program and test robot designs to solve problems.

While Suncoast has excelled at previous Lego competitions, they have recently provided even stronger competition at state and national titles, with Year 6 students recently named First Lego League Champions.

[i] http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/digital-technologies/rationale

[ii] U.S. President George Washington, First Annual Message to Congress on the State of the Union, January 8, 1790, The American Presidency Project website.