Tech-eng peaks want more STEM in school

But for now, they will work with what they can get

The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, Engineers Australia and the Australian Council of Engineering Deans “support the aims” of the present review of the Australian School Curriculum.

What they really want is, “an in-depth and future-focused review of whole of STEM school education that was obviously outside the scope of this curriculum review.”

But for now, they recommend;

* technology-learning compulsory from Year Eight, “including more explicit references to ‘engineering’ ”

* applied sciences, including engineering explicit in Science and Technology Learning areas, to ensure a focus on STEM careers and learning, “not just ‘discovery science’”

* Indigenous science, particularly aligned with “sustainability principles should be explicitly included”

* digital literacy and specific skills “such as coding” should be “a key priority”