Join the Program
Interested in becoming part of STEM Professionals in Schools? First, check your eligibility for the program below then apply through the Education and Outreach portal.
See the portal support page or email us via stemprofessionalsinschools@csiro.au.
STEM Professionals in Schools is Australia’s largest national skilled volunteering program creating ongoing and flexible partnerships between teachers and STEM professionals . The program provides an opportunity for organisations and individuals with STEM expertise to partner with teachers to contribute to developing the STEM talent needed for the future. Each partnership assists and equips teachers and STEM professionals to showcase for students the relevance of STEM knowledge and applications in everyday life, and what STEM careers have to offer.
Every partnership is a bespoke arrangement between the STEM professional and the teacher based on local context, curriculum and student needs, and expertise. The program is free to join, and priorities of STEM professionals, for example regional and remote areas, can be indicated when registering for the program.
How can the program benefit industry?
The program has been independently evaluated on a number of occasions since its inception in 2007. These evaluations found that partnerships are effective in delivering benefits for teachers, students and STEM professionals. The most recent evaluation reported that industry and university employers receive benefits over and above those received by the individual STEM professionals participating in the program.
Program eligibility
- Minimum of a bachelor degree in a STEM field; or
- Evidence* of equivalent experience in a STEM field
- The ability to obtain and/or provide evidence of the relevant Working with Children/Vulnerable People check and National Police Certificate as part of the CSIRO Child Safe procedure
* Evidence may include a letter of endorsement, supervisor support, Curriculum Vitae or similar.
Child Safe Standards
As part of the program's mandate to keep all children and young people safe, all STEM professionals who undertake any type of interaction with students are required by state and federal governments to undergo security screening. You must provide evidence of the relevant Working With Children/Vulnerable People Check and National Police Certificate as part of CSIRO's Child Safe Policy.
If you don't have this documentation, the STEM Professionals in Schools team can support you to obtain it and cover the associated costs. Evidence of the completed checks must be provided before a partnership is made.
Working with Children Checks accepted
Australian Capital Territory | Working with Vulnerable People registration | Access Canberra |
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New South Wales | Working with Children check | NSW Office of the Children's Guardian |
Northern Territory | Ochre Card | SAFE NT |
Queensland | Blue card | Queensland Government |
South Australia | Working with Children Check | Department of Human Services |
Tasmania | Registration to working with vulnerable people | Tasmanian Government |
Victoria | Working with Children check | Working With Children Check Victoria |
Western Australia | Working with Children check | Government of Western Australia |
How to... Guide for Industry
By encouraging your staff to get involved your organisation is helping to develop the scientific literacy of students, enriching your relationships with clients and the broader community, and positioning your workplace as an employer of choice. Download our How to Guide for Industry PDF (160 KB) to get involved.
More information
We can assist if you need help to arrange your checks. To find out more, contact us.