Excellence & Equity in MathsAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Student Achievement in Mathematics and STEM

Professor Peter Buckskin, Project DirectorWill Morony, AAMT Project Partner

Mark Tranthim-Fryer, Project Managerwww.xe.edu.au/natsiec

Acknowledgementof Country

NATSIEC Workshop Contents• Excellence & Equity [xe] project partnerships

• STEM landscape in Australia and overseas

• School pilot programs

• Higher education initiatives

• 2016 opportunities

This ground-breaking project will increase the number of our people with the capability and aspirations to undertake tertiary study in disciplines underpinned by Mathematics. Professor Peter Buckskin

[xe] Project Director

We know that at the heart of quality teaching of students in mathematics are the professional judgements about teaching and learning; judgements based on teachers’ knowledge, experience and evidence in relation to pedagogy, their students, and mathematics.

Dr Chris MatthewsApplied mathematician &Chair, Aboriginal & TorresStrait Islander MathematicsAlliance (ATSIMA)[xe] reference group

As educators it is important that we recognise the rich and dynamic culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and ensure that the construction of mathematics does not devalue it.

Dr Grace SarraSenior Lecturer,Queensland University of Technology[xe] reference group

The Gunditjmara people of south-western Victoria ran a sophisticated aquaculture enterprise involving extensive and ingenious civil engineering works.

Associate ProfessorRowena BallApplied mathematician andphysical chemist,Australian NationalUniversity[xe] reference group

www.chiefscientist.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/STEM_AustraliasFuture_Sept2014_Web.pdf

STEM MYTHS

1. Science, maths, engineering – that’s whitefeller business2. Aboriginal people are not good at maths and science3. Science and engineering are purely Western constructs4. STEM alienates Indigenous students from their culture5. Science is opposed to traditional ways of knowledge

Vital and ongoing engagement with all fields of STEM research is a crucial element in the empowerment and advancement of Indigenous Australia

Associate Professor Rowena Ball, 2015 STEM the gap Australian Quarterly

www.aips.net.au/aq-magazine/2015-special-indigenous-edition-science-belongs-to-us-mob-too/

MAKE IT COUNT: MATHS AND INDIGENOUS LEARNERSMake It Count is for educators working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners in mathematics education.

It is a teaching and learning resource, and a professional learning tool.

Make It Count is about a way of thinking – and a way of doing.http://mic.aamt.edu.au/

XE AIMS TO

• Improve indigenous school student participation in and achievement in mathematics and numeracy education.

• Increase the number of Indigenous young people with the aspirations and capability to undertake tertiary study in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

XE PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS

[xe] project schools & universities

XE STRATEGIES

1. National review of professional practices, resources and programs

2. Series of school cluster and university pilot studies

3. Consultation with students, Indigenous educators, STEM educators

4. Publish findings to a national Mathematics portal (from 2016)

5. Presentations of findings and resources at education events

6. Evaluation and data collection to measure project progress

7. Engagement with Chief Scientist and other AMSPP projects

XE PROJECT SCHEDULE

[xe] 2015-17 project plan at www.xe.edu.au/plan

1. National approach to STEM learning for Indigenous studentsRecognition of Indigenous knowledge in curriculumCompilation of effective STEM programs and practices

2. Programs for better Indigenous student learning in STEMTransitions between school-university and education-workIndustry engagement to place Indigenous students in the workforceTargeted student support structures in higher education

3. Staff professional development in STEM and Indigenous studentsCulturally responsive teaching in schools and universitiesStudent engagement with scientific thinking and practices

INTERNATIONAL FINDINGS

www.acola.org.au/PDF/SAF02Consultants/SAF02_STEM_%20FINAL.pdf

Average total enrolment of Indigenous higher education studentsby field of study compared to total enrolments (2011-13)

STEM-related fields of study

Other fields of studyBehrendt Review, 2012

• Clusters in metropolitan and regional locations• Junior secondary focus; students with potential for

‘higher level’ maths courses• Co-designed with schools• Engage with students, parents and community, and staff

(mathematics teachers, others with role in supportingIndigenous students, school and community leaders)

XE PROJECT – SCHOOLS COMPONENT

2015 SCHOOL PILOT STUDIES

1. Northern AdelaidePara Hills HS, Paralowie R-12, Salisbury East HS

2. Alice SpringsCentral Middle School & Senior School, Yirara School (tbc)

3. PerthYulebrook College, Seven Oaks SC, Balga HS, Cecil Andrews College

Pilot studies managed by Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT)

• Students’ views• Don’t want maths to be easy – challenges, games, competition

• More ‘real world’ - connected, making sense etc

• Collaboration with 'similar students’

• Teachers’ directions• Resilience, perseverance, confidence.

• Core Maths hurdles (multiplicative reasoning, fractions,algebra fundamentals, etc)

• Roles and impact of tutors

INITIAL INSIGHTS – SCHOOLS

HIGHER EDUCATION CASE STUDIES

1. University of SA STEM strategy for Indigenous students

2. CSIRO ASSETS Year 10 summer schools (Adelaide, Newcastle, Townsville)

3. University of NSW series of Indigenous student initiatives

4. University of Western Sydney Indigenous student initiatives

5. University of Newcastle Wollotuka Institute

6. Queensland University of Technology Yumi Deadly Maths

Sites selected following an environmental scan and Indigenous student participation data2015 case studies prepared by UniSA

www.newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-university/indigenous-collaboration/the-wollotuka-institute/history-of-wollotukaProject Director

www.nuragili.unsw.edu.au/indigenous-astronomy

www.unisa.edu.au/IT-Engineering-and-the-Environment/student-services/Community-Service-Learning-Project/ICES/indigenous-content-in-education-symposium

www.csiro.au/en/Education/Programs/Indigenous-STEM

XE STRATEGIES

An online portal for teachers (F–12), mathematics leaders, and others.

To provide educators with quality professional learning materials and related classroom resources.

[xe] resources to be hosted on Dimensions on conclusion of the project.

AAMT DIMENSIONS PORTAL

Opportunities?

www.xe.edu.au

@stemXE

www.xe.edu.au/news/subscribe

Excellence and Equity in Maths is funded by the Australian Governmentthrough the Australian Maths and Science Partnerships Program (AMSPP).

www.xe.edu.au/natsiecstem@xe.edu.au