UNSW Engineering empowers teachers with hands-on STEM training

The UNSW Faculty of Engineering had the privilege of hosting 60 dedicated NSW teachers for an in-person STEM Teachers Day event on Monday 10 November.

Delivered in partnership with the NSW Department of Education (DoE) as part of the STEM Industry School Partnerships (SISP) program, the UNSW event delivered practical workshops for teachers to help support STEM learning in their schools. Some teachers who deliver STEM content do not have formal qualifications in engineering, technology or science—so the STEM Teachers Day is designed to support these educators by building their confidence and capability in teaching STEM activities.

During the event, Stage 4, 5 and 6 teachers (those responsible for teaching years 7-12) gained new knowledge and skills related to the DoE’s Smart Greenhouse STEM mini-project—a design challenge that provides school students with an opportunity to explore emerging agriculture technologies through microcontrollers, sensors, and coding. The workshops and sessions explored the hardware, software, and engineering design concepts required for teachers to successfully facilitate the project.

One of the morning’s workshops focused on coding and hardware assembly, with teachers learning how to build simple Arduino-based sensor systems to monitor temperature and humidity— the same principles used in modern greenhouse technologies. The second workshop offering focused on CAD design and build, introducing teachers to Autodesk Fusion—the 3D modelling software used to develop the design for the acrylic panels for the smart greenhouse.

In the afternoon, a Curriculum Connections Marketplace session showcased the breadth of UNSW Engineering’s engagement programs and curriculum-aligned activities.  There were opportunities for teachers to understand how various programs map to NESA syllabus outcomes, and there was time for teachers to ask questions and make connections with UNSW academics. Demonstrations from the UNSW Robotics and Mechatronics Society (RAMSoc) also presented their take-home, curriculum-aligned Ottobot demo-kit.

Dedicated funding from the Faculty of Engineering enabled 19 teachers from regional, rural and remote school settings to attend the event—ensuring equitable access for all. Funding also supported the provision of Smart Greenhouse take-home demo kits for all attendees, ensuring teachers — particularly those from regional and remote areas — could continue their professional learning journey without additional out-of-pocket costs. The kits included environmental sensor components, Arduino microcontrollers and wiring sets, pre-fabricated acrylic panels for the greenhouse structure, (designed as an exemplar of how students can design their own) and teacher instruction slides with sample code and digital design files.

UNSW Engineering Community Engagement Coordinator Amela Mahmic designed and coordinated the program in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education and UNSW Engineering academics. She said, “Our goal was to provide teachers with high-quality, curriculum-aligned professional learning that effectively supports classroom practice. The strong engagement—particularly from regional, rural, remote and out-of-field teachers—shows there is real demand for accessible STEM professional learning support.

“As the first event designed in collaboration with the Department of Education, its strong success highlights why UNSW remains committed to empowering teachers to deliver high-quality STEM programs for students across the state.”