Living STEM showcase highlights Indigenous education collaboration in the Pilbara

More than 80 guests convened at the Dampier Community Centre last week for a significant event, showcasing the outcomes of the Living STEM program’s journey. Educators, scientists, and community members gathered to witness demonstrations and presentations that illustrated the collaborative efforts between educators and local Aboriginal leaders in developing hands-on, two-way science projects for classrooms. The Living STEM showcase on November 16 served as a platform for schools and community members to share their achievements, providing a space for collaboration and celebration of the project’s impact, and setting the stage for continued connections in the coming year. The Living STEM program aims to enhance engagement and achievement in STEM subjects by supporting primary and secondary school teachers in incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientific knowledge into their curriculum through hands-on projects. Additionally, the program encourages schools to establish partnerships with Aboriginal families and communities, promoting reconciliation and respect for Indigenous culture while grounding projects in local Aboriginal knowledge connected to the STEM curriculum. Participation in the showcase spanned 10 schools from the West Pilbara region, as well as schools in Onslow and Pannawonica, collectively referred to as the Karratha Network by the Pilbara Regional Educational Office. The diverse gathering included representatives from 13 different Aboriginal schools, Indigenous rangers programs in the Pilbara, and members from the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation. Living STEM collaborated with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation on a workshop earlier in the year, showcasing their joint efforts in rock art monitoring during the event. Living STEM program lead and author of Two-Way Science: An Integrated Learning Program for Aboriginal Desert Schools, David Broun, said the program was borne out of a common goal to promote culturally responsive education. “It will allow Aboriginal students to feel good about who they are in that they are being educated with a curriculum that values the knowledge of their ancestors,” he said. “This project aims to have the same level of engagement as past CSIRO Two-Way Science projects as well as develop more education resources that are Pilbara-focused. “We aim to do this in partnership with communities and schools to work together to build local programs as well as to share what we do with each other to improve education across the board.”