Are we pushing STEM too hard? Experts divided

EducationHQ News Team

By EducationHQ News Team
Published March 23, 2018

STEM is once again the acronym on everybody’s lips, this time in response to NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes’ claim that the push to promote STEM in schools is an act of "intellectual snobbery".

During a Balmoral Lecture at Queenwood School in Sydney, Stokes called STEM a buzzword.

"I am simply stating that the ...

Executive Director - HR Regional Operations

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Brisbane

We are seeking an experienced senior executive to lead the Human Resources Regional Operations function across Queensland. As the Executive Director you will be respon...

Teaching - Secondary / Feb 20, 2026

Head of Department - Science - Harristown State High School

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Toowoomba

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and innovative educator to join the leadership team at Harristown State High School as Head of Department - Sci...

Teaching - Secondary / Feb 20, 2026

Head of Department - Senior Schooling - Beaudesert State High School

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Logan

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, and results-driven Head of Department (Senior Schooling) to lead and manage the senior phase of our secondary school. The su...

Teaching - Secondary / Feb 20, 2026

School news / ‘We don’t talk about that in this class’: History teachers at risk with new hate speech laws

NSW history teachers are fearful about what the state’s new hate speech laws will mean for their practice, with one expert warning critical knowledge and discussion about the Holocaust is at risk of being silenced in the classroom.

School news / Eye-tracking study reveals how experienced teachers shut down disruption

Teachers’ eye movements in the classroom could determine the extent to which disruptive students interfere with the lesson underway, new research has indicated.

School news / ‘We don’t talk about that in this class’: History teachers at risk with new hate speech laws

NSW history teachers are fearful about what the state’s new hate speech laws will mean for their practice, with one expert warning critical knowledge and discussion about the Holocaust is at risk of being silenced in the classroom.

School news / Survey shock behind push for extra paid out-of-classroom prep time

Teachers are juggling more complexity in the classroom than ever but lesson preparation hours have not changed in decades, according to a new survey.

School news / Our tokenistic sustainability education is missing the mark: peak science associations

A new position paper prepared by three peak science teacher associations has lifted the lid on deep dissatisfaction across the sector regarding climate change education and the way it is taught in schools.

Opinion / How leaders cultivate teachers’ social-emotional confidence for wellbeing

Teaching is a highly rewarding profession, yet it is also recognised as inherently complex and often challenging.

School news / Union sets stop-work date for Vic public school staff seeking fair pay and conditions

The Australian Education Union’s Primary and Secondary Sector Council has set a date for 24-hour stop-work action in Term 1.

School news / Link between kids’ attitudes to hand writing and motivation/quality: research

Beginner writers’ attitude and motivation towards writing is related to the quality of their writing and writing skills (handwriting vs keyboard automaticity), new research has found.

School news / The need for sex ed focus to be on respect, consent and communication

On the eve of Valentine’s Day, with love and relationships front of mind, educators, young people and parents are being encouraged to look beyond risk-based sex education to focus on communication, consent and emotional safety.

School news / ‘Polycrisis’ threatens future of arts education in Aussie schools: researchers

Sidelined from the early years and scrapped at senior levels, arts education in Australian schools is rapidly deteriorating – and our nation’s creative and cultural capital is now at serious risk of dying out, two researchers have warned.

Comments