The Queensland Virtual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Academy (QVSA) program aims to engage and excite students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM and connect them with peers who share their interests. Our model focuses on the delivery of enrichment and enhancement programs in which students build a portfolio of learning experiences and partake in inquiry and problem solving based opportunities.
These opportunities focus on authentic, real world STEM challenges and research. Learning is designed to extend and challenge a student’s interest, knowledge and skills beyond the Australian Curriculum.
Course design
The learning experiences are delivered through a blend of innovative, real time, online learning and participation in clubs and pop up opportunities as they arise. The online programs take three main forms:
The QVSA programs link strongly with, and are quality assured against, the curriculum aims, content and achievement standards of the Australian Curriculum learning areas of science, mathematics, design and technologies and digital technologies. A strong focus of the programs is to further develop the Australian Curriculum P–10 general capabilities which include:
- critical and creative thinking
- personal and social capability
- ethical understanding
- intercultural understanding
- information and communication technology capability.
Linking all of these experiences is a commitment to increase accessibility and harness the power of like-minded collaboration and deep learning that our STEM minded students seek. Key elements of deep learning are:
- content informed by the emerging sciences and current and authentic world STEM challenges and thinking
- methods of problem solving, inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity and collaboration underpin design of tasks
- partnerships with universities and likeminded industry which support authenticity, currency and innovation of learning experiences.
Members of the QVSA cohort can step in and out of opportunities based on their aspiration, interest and point in time school experience. Students however, remain part of the QVSA community of like minds.
How it works
- Schools identify highly capable students who would benefit from STEM enrichment.
- Schools complete an expression of interest to nominate students and/or nominate a suitable time in the schedule for students to participate (typically 1–2 students per course from each school).
- Schools are contacted about successful enrolments.
- Each course typically has 1 online class per week for 10 weeks, during school time. Occasionally, an optional tutorial or further time may be offered for Grand challenge courses.
- Students from multiple schools across the state connect online via the iSee app.
- Support for deeper learning, collaboration and access to resources is provided using Class OneNote and other online tools.
- After completion, QVSA teachers provide written feedback and certificates of participation to the students. Schools may also be presented pennants celebrating their students performance if students demonstrate exemplary levels of 21st century skills such as collaboration, problem solving, creativity and innovative thinking.
Courses
All grand challenges (GC) and skill builders (SB) are typically 10 weeks long with 60 minute lessons as indicated.
2023 dates
Round 1
| 20 February -12 May
| Week 5, T1 – Week 4, T2 (10 weeks)
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| Round 2 | 22 May – 11 August
| Week 6, T2 – Week 5, T3 (10 weeks)
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