Page 41 - BHP | BHP Foundation Booklet 2019

CHOOSEMATHS STEM Education

The Choose Maths program is helping build a diverse, future-ready workforce This innovative partnership is helping improve STEM outcomes
by transforming community attitudes towards maths and contributing to a female by increasing interest and academic achievement in STEM subjects
STEM talent pipeline in Australia. and related professions.

Choose Maths aims to make women Progress and achievements In a rapidly changing and complex The BHP Foundation Science and
“ Choose Maths has changed more visible in mathematics, Since 2015, Choose Maths has: “ STEM skills go well beyond world, Australia’s future success will Engineering Awards reward students
the public discourse about changing community perceptions the classroom. They teach our rely on a highly educated and diverse for creative research projects
mathematics for the better, about what girls can do. By growing • reached 9,700 schools across students to think creatively workforce founded on a strong and engineering innovations, and
turning around public teacher confidence and competence Australia with communications about problem solving, which pipeline of science and technology teachers for their contribution to
perception about girls and in mathematics, the program also and collateral; will be critical in a future skills. Diversity of thought among science education. The Awards are a
maths and raising the profile encourages and inspires students, • engaged 58,000 students shaped by genetics, synthetic STEM professionals leads to better partnership between BHP Foundation,
of the teaching profession including many girls and young women, through STEM careers events; materials, AI and other outcomes, yet women and Indigenous CSIRO and the Australian Science
and possible careers that to think differently about STEM. • seen over 5,000 students disruptive technologies.” people remain under-represented in Teachers Association.
Australian students can aim From major cities to regional, and teachers participate in the STEM education.
for with mathematics.” remote and lower socio-economic Choose Maths Awards including The Indigenous STEM Education Progress and achievements
communities, the Australian the submission of 1,1194 student Project demonstrates the link between Since 2015, almost 18,000 Aboriginal
Mathematical Sciences Institute team videos and 108 teacher the traditional ecological knowledge and Torres Strait Islander students,
(AMSI) works with students, parents, nominations; and of Australia’s First Nations Peoples 1,755 teachers and 166 schools have
teachers, careers advisors, young • increased teacher confidence in and the science curriculum and how been engaged in the Indigenous
women and Indigenous Australians the teaching of mathematics from it can be taught using inquiry-based STEM Project across remote, rural
to increase participation in maths. 10% to 29% through the participation methods. The project has a national and urban Australia.
This program nurtures and supports of 5,277 teachers in 293 professional footprint working with primary, Now in their 37 year, the
th
the next generation of science, development days. secondary and tertiary students in BHP Foundation Science and
maths, engineering and technology remote, regional and metropolitan Engineering Awards continue to
professionals, giving them the skills areas. The project targets Aboriginal uncover and develop the next
and confidence they need to get and Torres Strait Island students generation of innovators who want
involved and make an impact. as they progress through primary, to tackle and solve the world’s big
Through professional learning, secondary and tertiary education challenges. In 2018/19, 12,014 entries
scholarships, networking support, and into employment. were received across the student
teacher resources and an awards categories and six student Award
program that recognizes excellence finalists represented Australia at
in teaching and learning, the program Mary Mulchay the Intel International Science and
Janine Sprakel is nurturing and supporting the Director, Engineering Fair in the United States.
Project Director, next generation of science, maths, CSIRO Education and Outreach,
Choose Maths engineering and technology CSIRO
professionals.
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