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Stronger Smarter

Teachers of STEM Initiative

The Teachers of STEM Initiative is an innovative response to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to succeed in STEM. It is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency as part of the Indigenous Girls’ STEM Academy.

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Teachers of STEM Initiative

The Teachers of STEM Initiative supports First Nations women to assist them in gaining a recognised STEM qualification.  

Successful applicants receive the following support: 

  • Scholarship support to help with costs associated with studying. 
  • Mentoring, collaboration, and networking opportunities. 
  • Customised professional development programs introducing Indigenous pedagogies. 
  • Information and support about STEM specific teacher courses and relevant student support and financial service. 

Applications are open throughout the year. 

The Initiative is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency as part of the Indigenous Girls’ STEM Academy. 

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STEM and Indigenous Knowledges

You will be supported to attend our two professional development programs. 

Jardibirrijba (make strong) will support you through 

  • Support for planning your study through the development of a High-Expectations Relationships Personal Development Plan 
  • Introduction to Indigenous pedagogies 

Jardi Dadarrinyi (standing strong, straight, backbone) provides 

  • Exposure to Indigenous Knowledge experts 
  • Ideas and strategies to help you incorporate culturally-responsive curriculums into lesson planning 
  • Ideas and strategies to help you improve the STEM educational experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students 
  • Support to bring your own STEM Indigenous Knowledge to the classroom. 

Our program names are drawn from Waanyi Garrawa Language. 

Eligibility for the program

You are eligible for the program if you 

  • Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander woman. 
  • You are already completing or are planning to complete a recognised STEM teaching qualification. 
  • You are committed to transforming Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student educational outcomes. 

 

The teaching qualification you complete could be: 

  • A full teaching undergraduate degree with a focus on STEM, or 
  • An approved STEM course to upgrade an existing teaching qualification, or 
  • A Master of Teaching to support an existing STEM qualification. 

Meet our participants

Our first cohort of ToSI participants began their journey towards becoming a STEM qualified teacher in 2020.  A number of our participants have now already completed their qualifications and now have teaching positions. 

Our participants come from a wide range of locations which include metropolitan, regional and remote communities. They also come from different walks of life with some already experienced educators and others just beginning their higher education journey.  

Read the stories of our ToSI participants on our News Page.

Read our ToSI Stories

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Meet our Steering Committee

The role of the Steering Committee provides expert advice on the Teachers of STEM Initiative. Members: 

  • provide expert advice and guidance to the initiative 
  • ensure the services are of high quality 
  • monitor and advise on risk mitigation strategies 
  • ensure the project stays within scope 
  • report any issues in relation to project quality, scope, timelines, risks and budget.  
Meet our Steering Committee

Indigenous Girls STEM Academy

The Indigenous Girls’ STEM Academy is a $25 million, ten-year national investment in high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls who aspire to pursue education and careers in STEM professions. The Academy is fostering a generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female leaders in STEM. 

The Academy comprises the Teachers of STEM Initiative led by the Stronger Smarter Institute and a Student Initiative led by CSIRO. 

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