STEM Rationale

STEM is so important because it helps children develop skills, such as problem solving, critical and creativity
thinking, digital literacy, teamwork and initiative, which are needed to progress and thrive in our ever-changing
technological society. According to the West Australian Department of Education (2015) STEM qualifications
are ‘essential to Australia’s productivity, innovation and success.’ As 75% of jobs at the moment require STEM
skills it’s important that students are introduced to them from a young age, so that they can adapt to
technological advancements and workplace changes. STEM focuses on real world issues and problems, such as
sustainability. My project focuses specifically on the sustainability concept of futures, encouraging students to
reflect on the world as well as their own actions and way of life, empowering them to design and create
solutions which will lead to a more sustainable and fair futures. Ideas that relate specifically to my project
include QI.7, which is ‘Actions for a more sustainable future reflect values of care, respect and responsibility,
and require us to explore and understand environments’, QI.8, which is ‘Designing action for sustainability
requires an evaluation of past practices, the assessment of scientific and technological developments, and
balanced judgements based on projected future economic, social and environmental impacts.’ As well as QI 9,
which is ‘Sustainable futures result from actions designed to preserve and/or restore the quality and uniqueness
of environments.’ These ideas relate to my project, as I’m concentrating on UN Sustainability Goal 6, which is
clean water and sanitation. Contaminated water and poor sanitation are two of leading causes of poverty and
disease in the world’s poorest countries, therefore it is important that students develop an awareness and concern
for this issue. To achieve a more sustainable future, clean water and sanitation issues must be addressed and
improved, so that we can acquire equality and fairness. Students will be researching and creating solutions for
different problems, ranging from large global scale change to designing and building an at home water filter out
of recycled materials. This project encourages students to use and develop critical and creative thinking as they
will be reflecting on their own life, using their prior knowledge to analyse and explore issues and problems, and
collaboratively come up with solutions for them.