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With Term 4 now in full swing and World Teachers' Day being celebrated across Australia, it's a wonderful opportunity to thank all the teachers and STEM professionals who have contributed their enthusiasm, expertise and time to STEM Professionals in Schools (SPS) this year.

Next year marks 20 years of SPS, and we’d love to welcome even more teachers and STEM Professionals into the program.

If you know a colleague who would enjoy SPS or benefit from a partnership, why not spread the word? Share the resources and opportunities below to give them a taste of what SPS has to offer and the rewards they’ll gain from getting involved.

celebrating our teachers

Shining a light on teachers this World Teachers' Day

Bek Knight was recently named a finalist in the STEM Educator of the Year (Schools) category of the WA Premier's Science Awards. Taking on the Synergy Schools Solar Car Challenge for the first time this year, Bek credits the support of her SPS partner, Ward Darcey, with helping her navigate the challenge and build confidence along the way. Read on to learn more about Bek and other educators going above and beyond to make STEM engaging and relevant for their students.

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free professional learning webinar

Webinar: Teach students to think like a CSIRO scientist

You won't want to miss this free webinar on Wednesday 11 November. Join us to explore CSIRO's 'Food Packaging and Waste' resources and hear from a CSIRO scientist working on innovative ways to reduce waste and give used plastics a second life. Designed for Year 5-8 STEM educators, this free one-hour webinar will provide you with classroom-ready ideas, meaningful STEM connections and inspiration for student investigations. You'll leave with practical resources, fresh examples of science in action and new ways to engage students with one of today's biggest sustainability challenges.

Register here

Why teacher Ian Wilson keeps bringing STEM professionals into the classroom

Two students using tablet devices outdoors while observing native vegetation. An adult stands beside them, pointing to a tall grass tree in a bushland setting.

Award-winning educator Ian Wilson, recently named the 2026 ACCE/ACS Australian Digital Technologies Teacher of the Year, has seen first-hand how SPS partnerships can broaden students' horizons. Through Coolbinia Primary School's long-term involvement with the program, students have worked with experts ranging from mycologists to astrophysicists, connecting classroom learning with real-world STEM.

Q: What makes a great partnership between an educator and a STEM professional?
"For me, it's about relationships, collaboration and a shared enthusiasm for learning. Teachers understand their students and how they learn, while STEM professionals bring specialised expertise and fresh perspectives. When everyone feels valued and enjoys learning from each other, that's when great things happen."

Q: Digital technologies and AI are evolving rapidly. What skills are most important for students to develop today?
"Curiosity, critical thinking, creativity and digital citizenship are more important than ever. I want children to be creators of technology, not simply consumers of it. STEM partnerships help develop these skills through authentic challenges and real-world problem-solving."

Read the full interview for Ian's thoughts on great STEM partnerships, preparing students for a changing world, and what surprises STEM professionals when they step into the classroom.

Explore STEM resources for rapidly evolving world 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Action

The Artificial Intelligence in Action resources explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we work, socialise and deliver services across the globe. While AI has been around for decades, recent advances in technology have significantly increased the capability and complexity of AI systems, including its use in everyday life for the public. The resources support the exploration of responsible and ethical AI for students in Years 5 to 8, and include classroom presentations, student activities and a teacher guide.

Computational Thinking in Action

Computational thinking is an essential skill that equips students with the ability to tackle complex problems in a rapidly evolving world. These skills include critical and creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. Designed for Year 5 and 6 classrooms, the collection includes student worksheets, a computational thinking definitions handout, a reflective worksheet, and teacher guide to help students learn to break down challenges, recognise patterns, and design logical solutions across disciplines.

partnership support

Handy resources to support your partnership

Whether you're new to SPS or just looking for fresh inspiration, we've refreshed our range of practical partnership resources. From getting started and planning engaging learning activities to sharing partnership outcomes, these guides feature real examples and insights from SPS partnerships across Australia. Plus, because we love receiving your activity updates, you'll also find tips on how to share your partnership stories with us.

Explore here

In case you missed it...

Place-based STEM teaching with Judith Stutchbury

How can we connect STEM teaching to students’ local environment? In this episode of the Get into STEM podcast, award-winning teacher Judith Stutchbury, who is also part of the SPS program, unpacks how place-based learning can bring STEM to life. Find out more about her school’s involvement in the Reef Guardian Schools program and the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, the benefits of cluster teaching for regional schools and her book 'Hatch Saves the Reef'.

Free activity sheet celebrating CSIRO's Centenary

This year, as we celebrate a century of life-changing science by CSIRO, we've created a fun new activity sheet to help students discover some of the innovations that have helped shape everyday life in Australia. Ideal for younger students, this free activity sheet invites children to colour, search and learn as they uncover CSIRO innovations hidden throughout a typical home. How many did you know about?