Arjen's talk at Linux.conf.au 2016 (Geelong, VIC Australia) on OpenSTEM, specifically about open source/data/hardware/standards and classrooms. It is (very much) NOT about the tools.

1. Opening Classrooms Through
the Australian Curriculum
Arjen Lentz
Chief Explorer
arjen (at) openstem
(dot) com (dot) au
What, How, and Why

2. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 2
Science, Tech, Engineering, Maths
● Enabling students with hands-on projects
– Most kids are very visual
– Many kids learn through tactile, kinaesthetic means
– Direct feedback
● Projects, not just an experience
● Entire classes, no pre-selection
– Inclusive
– We also do extension programs
– ICP (Individual Curriculum Plan)

3. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 3
Some of the Stuff We Do
● Brewing Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic)
● Digital Technologies
– Robotics
– Soldering
– Digital & Analog Electronics
– 3D printers & 3D printing
● History, Geography, Archaeology
● Orienteering

4. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 4
Mirobot Logo Turtle

5. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 5
Mirobot chassis

6. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 6
Mirobot Electronics & Circuit Board

7. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 7
Electronics Soldering

8. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 8
Computational Thinking
Programming

9. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 9
OpenSTEM Vision/Approach
“Any sufficiently advanced technology
is indistinguishable from magic”
● Explore Why and How things work
– When you learn how a magician's trick works,
it's still cool…
● Broad exposure to different things
● Implicit inoculation
– Against silly comments
● Off-line options – why

10. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 10
Open Tools – Practical Reasons
● Schools inevitably have limited budget
● Enabling beyond school environment
● Hardware: diverse sources for kits/components
● Single vendor platforms hinder adding new stuff
● Availability and practicality of spare parts

11. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 11
Concepts/Skills vs Products
● We must use brand/product X.
● Why?
● It's the industry standard!
● So… did you train and acquire a license to
a) operate a “Holden Commodore 2008 Automatic”
b) drive a passenger vehicle
… what are the actual issues?

12. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 12
Digital Indulgence
● Tablets
– are explicitly consumer devices
● Gear for every student
– essential?
● Virtual reality
– not the same as physical touch
● Web-based teaching resources
– require good Internet connection & bandwidth
– more logins to keep track of

13. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 13
Curriculum Integration
● Teachers are busy
– Mostly non-specialised in primary schools
– Suitable resources
– Professional Development
● New topics need attention
– (political and media forces on focus)
● Assessment
– Cross-curricular projects can be done
● Programming → Maths, Robotics → Science, Orienteering →
HPE, 3D printers/printing → Maths + Science + Design Tech

14. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 14
Integrated History/Geography
Program for Primary Schools
● Complete P-6 Program
– Teacher handbooks with lesson plans
– Assessment guide
– Student workbooks & home research sheets
– Background resources
– Activities
– Optional workshops
● Professional Development
● Support
● Updates

15. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 15
Australian Curriculum (v8.0)
Digital Technologies
● ACARA draft approved by minister late 2015
– States/territories now to implement
● P-8 mandatory, elective in year 9-10
● Programming from year 3-4, more in 5-6
● We're developing P-6 program (term 2, 2016)

16. Opening Classrooms Through the Australian Curriculum © 2016 OpenSTEM Pty Ltd (openstem.com.au) CC-BY-SA 16
Questions?
Arjen Lentz
Chief Explorer
arjen (at) openstem
(dot) com (dot) au