**Note: this event is now full and we are no longer admitting people to the wait list.**
Although the acronym STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) has gained substantial traction around the globe in the
last decade, its educational implication is much debated.
Interpretations of STEM education differ in their emphases, for
instance, on interdisciplinarity or integration, on developing skills
such as critical thinking or creativity, or on introducing contemporary
content (e.g., robotics, virtual reality). In any case, there is an
expectation that STEM education will boost student interest and
achievement, and that pursuing STEM studies will enhance students’
employability. Yet, implementation of STEM education poses serious
challenges for schools and teachers in terms of curriculum, pedagogy,
assessment and organisation. This presentation will explore the
longitudinal research needed to determine the impact of STEM education
on students, teachers and schools.
A former chemistry teacher, Professor van Driel has a PhD in chemical
education from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. He was a teacher
trainer and educational consultant at Delft University of Technology,
before joining Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching in 1995. He
went on to become the Professor of Science Education in 2006 and
Director of ICLON, Leiden University, before moving to Australia in 2016
to become the Melbourne Graduate School of Education’s inaugural
Professor of Science Education.
A world leading scholar, Professor
van Driel’s work is influential in informing the professional
development of science teachers and he has done extensive research in
the domains of teaching, teaching education and higher education. He is
co-editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Science Education and
was Vice-President of the Netherlands Educational Research Association
from 2001-2009. Until recently Professor van Driel was chair of the
Interuniversity Centre for Teacher Education and secretary of the board
of the Technasium Foundation (Netherlands).