May 30, 2019
Scitech and Alcoa Create Maths Champions
More than 8000 students are expected to benefit from a new and innovative program to upskill maths teachers being delivered by Scitech in partnership with Alcoa of Australia.
The ‘Champions of Maths’ program is a new component of the widely respected Alcoa Maths Enrichment Program delivered in the Rockingham, Kwinana, Mandurah, Pinjarra, Harvey and Bunbury areas between since 2012.
‘Champions of Maths’ aims to develop the classroom methods and instructional practices of a select group of teachers through individual mentoring and coaching over the course of a year.
Recruitment into this program is based on teachers demonstrating a commitment to improving their maths teaching and aims to create maths leaders within the school community. The program is designed to ensure maximum ongoing impact within the school.
Intensive mentoring of teachers and a focus on their own ability to deliver professional development to the rest of their teaching cohort, creates a ripple effect that will last well beyond the program.
Ms Deb Banning, Chief Executive Officer, Scitech said, “The successful delivery of the Alcoa Maths Enrichment Program has laid an ideal foundation of trust within the community of schools we work with. This has provided a solid and respected platform on which to embark on a more ambitious program, with the intention to attain more powerful, achievable and sustainable results than ever before. This is extremely exciting, and necessary, so that we engage our current generation of students and help them to develop the skills and knowledge needed for the STEM-enabled future workforce.”
Mr Michael Parker, Chairman and Manager Director, Alcoa of Australia said, “Supporting the next generation to have the skills needed to succeed in the modern workplace is not only vital for those individuals but also for their communities, the state and nation, and for sectors like ours. Alcoa is proud to continue our partnership with Scitech, which is making a real difference in maths teaching and learning.”
‘Champions of Maths’ will focus on developing teachers’ daily classroom practice and instructional methods through an individualised mentoring and coaching program, consisting of expert training, observation, reflection and assisted planning.
These methods of instruction have been shown to have the best outcomes on student performance, as well as encouraging the 21st century skillset of engagement, independence, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking, which are necessary for the application of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in the workforce, as well as in life.
The inaugural cohort have been selected from Australind Primary School, Eaton Primary School, Glen Huon Primary School and Treendale Primary School in the Bunbury area.
More information: Scitech, Susan Hoerlein:0422 553 343, susan.hoerlein@scitech.org.au