Important information
The National AI Centre (NAIC) is transitioning from CSIRO to the Department of Industry, Science, and Resources (DISR) on 1st July 2024. You can find the latest NAIC content at industry.gov.au. For any NAIC-related questions, please email NAIC@industry.gov.au.
About
The Indigenous STEM Education Resources provide explicit teaching materials that support high school and primary school educators to confidently embed Indigenous contexts and Knowledges within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
In partnership with the NSW Department of Education, this initiative builds on the decade worth of experience and the demonstrated success of CSIRO's educational resources, to deliver a new suite of high-quality, curriculum-aligned classroom materials for students in Years 3 - 10. These resources are designed to strengthen teacher capability and provide sustained support for the effective integration of culturally relevant STEM content. By addressing current challenges in the accessibility and application of appropriate materials, the initiative seeks to enhance teacher confidence, engagement, and respect for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander contributions to STEM.
Through these resources, we seek to promote culturally safe and inclusive learning environments that recognise and celebrate Indigenous Knowledges, while fostering equitable participation and success for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in STEM education and pathways across NSW and Australia.
Our Indigenous STEM Education Resources are proudly branded with Aunty Sandra Angus’ artwork, Meeting on Country – Shifting Sands, which is displayed throughout the resource suite.
Cultural Sensitivity:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that these resources may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons. In some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, hearing recordings, seeing images or the names of deceased persons may cause sadness or distress and in some cases, offend against strongly held cultural prohibitions.
FAQ: Before you start
Please note that Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) is embedded within these Indigenous Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ('STEM') Education Resources (the 'Resources'). ICIP includes the knowledge and cultural heritage of Indigenous people, such as artwork, music, stories, language, and cultural objects and practices. For further information about how CSIRO protects ICIP, see Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Principles - CSIRO.
Use of ICIP for educational outreach only
These Resources are for high school educators or secondary school students to support Indigenous STEM. These Resources have been published with the permission of the ICIP owners and with certain conditions on their use. This is to assert the ownership, authority and control of the ICIP owners over their ICIP and associated rights as embedded in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) – Article 31
An eLearning course designed to guide educators and STEM professionals in building inclusive learning environments through cultural awareness and community engagement.
We believe Indigenous STEM education should be both accessible and respectful. These resources build on previous Indigenous STEM materials developed in collaboration with Indigenous communities and have been redesigned by a team led by a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, drawing on her lived experience and STEM expertise.
The resources use publicly available Indigenous STEM examples that align with CSIRO’s ICIP principles and protect secret and sacred Knowledges. Content is intentionally broad rather than location‑specific, recognising that Indigenous Knowledges are diverse, place‑based and owned by the communities to whom they belong.
These resources are a stepping stone for educators to build their lessons and create learning that is locally grounded. We encourage educators to use them as a starting point and to further learning through trusted web research/resources (AIATSIS Guide to evaluating and selecting education resources | AIATSIS corporate website), respectful engagement with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), Elders, Knowledge Holders and Indigenous‑owned businesses, including appropriate remuneration for their expertise and time.