My STEM Workbook 1

My STEM Workbook 1 is part of a trilogy of STEM workbooks for primary students Years 1-6. Each workbook has eight challenges. Each addresses one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They are:

Zero Hunger (Goal 2)

Health and Well Being (Goal 3)

Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal 6)

Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7)

Sustainable Cities and Communities (Goal 11)

Climate Action (Goal 13)

Life Below Water (Goal 14)

Life on Land (Goal 15)

Students apply their knowledge and skills of Science, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics to propose solutions to contextually appropriate real-world challenges.

The STEM PBL framework proposed by Forbes, Chandra, Pfeiffer and Sheffield (2020) was used to design the activities. Students need to tackle each challenge through the following steps:

Ask ➔ Imagine ➔ Plan ➔ Create ➔ Improve

Through these steps students apply their design-thinking skills to propose solutions to real-world challenges. Workplace Health and Safety is an integral part of each activity. Students are expected to handle tools, equipment and materials with care. Teachers are also expected to reinforce the use of safety gear - that is, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed.

Basil Slynko, aka Professor Baz, B Ed St., MA; Design and Technologies educator - primary, secondary and tertiary - in Australia and overseas; Project-based-learning advocate; Curriculum consultant; Industry Experience - Construction and Manufacturing; Author and co-author of 25 titles.

Associate Professor Vinesh Chandra is a university lecturer and teacher with more than 40 years of experience. He has taught in Australia and everal countries overseas. His teaching areas include STEM, science, mathematics and technologies. His co-authored book titled STEM Education in the Primary School: A Teacher's Toolkit received two awards (Educational Publishing Australia Awards, 2022). Associate Professor Chandra's team won Goldin the prestigious QS Reimagine Education Wharton Awards in 2022 for their project in STEM Education in Papua New Guinea.