SAM bolsters STEM momentum
As National Science Week comes to a close we must continue to demonstrate to young Australians how further studies in STEM subjects can enrich their lives.
The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) has built a prime reputation for supporting mathematics education. And the Schools Program’s latest addition “SAM” is no exception.
SAM — Supporting Australian Mathematics — is a new, free digital resource produced by AMSI in collaboration with Education Services Australia (ESA).
It provides teachers with reliable, convenient and succinct reference material for planning and understanding the mathematics they teach, whilst empowering students to read, learn and grow mathematically.
AMSI Director, Prof. Geoff Prince, attended last week’s National Press Club address by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Prof. Ian Chubb. “A regular theme at the National Press club has been the diminishing focus on boosting our capacity in STEM areas. This boost is necessary to ensure Australia is well equipped to meet the challenges we face,” Prof. Prince said.
“The decline of enrolments in advanced and intermediate mathematics subjects is the miner’s canary to our STEM capacity. AMSI believes its online and inprint resources, including SAM, can reverse this trend. Through the constant encouragement, training and development of our teachers we can inspire tomorrow’s researchers today.”
Janine McIntosh, AMSI Schools Manager, said: “SAM was written for teachers by teachers and comes in two great sizes: Middle Years and Senior Years. These modules add to AMSI’s suite of online, open-access teacher support materials. These resources are aligned with the Australian Curriculum and help teachers and students deepen their mathematical content knowledge. They equip our maths teachers to teach with enthusiasm and engage their students.”
When he presented STEM in the National Interest: A Strategic Approach Prof. Chubb said: “We rely a lot on our education system, it has to lay the foundations for all Australians; it has to prepare a STEM literate community… We need to drive the education system towards preparing students for a future increasingly bound to STEM.”
“Mathematics is the common language of all the sciences,” Prof. Prince said. “We know that students are inspired by their teachers. Therefore, assisting teachers with their preparation, allowing them to teach with added enthusiasm, may just capture a few extra imaginations.”
The uptake SAM has been immediate.
Otieno Ogunah, Southern Highlands Christian School, NSW, said: “Any Head of Mathematics or mathematics teacher who really values the mathematical education of our children and the future of our economy should be using these resources.”
LINKS:
SAM Middle Years
SAM Senior Years
STEM in the National Interest: A Strategic ApproachDiscipline Profile of the Mathematical Sciences
For Interview:
Janine McIntosh, Schools Manager
Prof. Geoff Prince, Director
Media Contact:
Stéphanie Pradier
E: stephanie@amsi.org.au
P: 0424 568 314
