What is transdisciplinary STEM learning and how do we make it work in an Australian classroom?  

ACARA curriculum specialist Melanie Hughes unpacks the Australian Curriculum STEM Connections resource and explores how it supports teachers to bring real-world STEM learning into the classroom and the curriculum. We look at the purpose behind the Curriculum connections, the growing need to teach concepts that sit beyond traditional subject boundaries, and how context-rich STEM learning can both lift student engagement and strengthen learning outcomes.  

Links:  

https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/stem-connections  

About Melanie Hughes:  

Melanie Hughes is a curriculum specialist at ACARA, where she leads the Australian Curriculum: Technologies and the General Capability: Digital Literacy. She has extensive experience across primary and secondary education in both the public and independent sectors and has contributed to major technologies focused cross-sector projects in education. Her professional areas of interest span STEM and STEAM,  AI, immersive VR/AR, game-based learning, circular design and media literacy.  

What is&nbsp;transdisciplinary&nbsp;STEM&nbsp;learning and how do we make it work in an Australian classroom? &nbsp;
ACARA curriculum specialist Melanie Hughes&nbsp;unpacks&nbsp;the Australian Curriculum STEM Connections&nbsp;resource and explores how it supports teachers to bring real-world STEM learning into the classroom and the curriculum.&nbsp;We look at&nbsp;the purpose behind&nbsp;the&nbsp;Curriculum&nbsp;connections, the growing need to teach concepts that sit beyond traditional subject boundaries, and how context-rich STEM learning can both lift student engagement and strengthen learning outcomes. &nbsp;
Links: &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/stem-connections">https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/stem-connections</a> &nbsp;
About Melanie Hughes: &nbsp;
Melanie Hughes is a curriculum specialist at ACARA, where she leads the Australian Curriculum: Technologies and the General Capability: Digital Literacy.&nbsp;She has extensive experience across primary and secondary education in both&nbsp;the&nbsp;public and independent sectors&nbsp;and&nbsp;has contributed to major&nbsp;technologies&nbsp;focused&nbsp;cross-sector projects in education.&nbsp;Her professional areas of interest span STEM and&nbsp;STEAM,&nbsp; AI, immersive VR/AR, game-based learning, circular&nbsp;design&nbsp;and media literacy. &nbsp;

Get Into STEM is a new podcast supporting Australian educators to engage every student in meaningful STEM learning, regardless of background, ability, or experience.

Join STEM educator, writer, and creative Michelle Hamill in season one as she chats with guests about creating neuro‑affirming STEM classrooms, the role of school leaders in STEM education, citizen science in schools, and the opportunities and resources available across the STEM education landscape.

Get Into STEM is a new podcast supporting Australian educators to engage every student in meaningful STEM learning, regardless of background, ability, or experience.
Join STEM educator, writer, and creative Michelle Hamill in season one as she chats with guests about creating neuro‑affirming STEM classrooms, the role of school leaders in STEM education, citizen science in schools, and the opportunities and resources available across the STEM education landscape.

Get into STEM 

Conversations supporting Australian educators to engage every student in STEM learning, regardless of background, ability, or experience. Each episode explores practical teaching strategies, expert insights, and real classroom success stories. We feature diverse voices from across Australian STEM education and unpack a new topic each episode. STEM thrives on diversity, and all students benefit from STEM learning. Subscribe to the show, and let’s Get into STEM.

Conversations supporting Australian educators to engage every student in STEM learning, regardless of background, ability, or experience. Each episode explores practical teaching strategies, expert insights, and real classroom success stories. We feature diverse voices from across Australian STEM education and unpack a new topic each episode. STEM thrives on diversity, and all students benefit from STEM learning. Subscribe to the show, and let&rsquo;s Get into STEM.