How do we connect what students learn in the classroom with what STEM looks like in the real world? 

We explore the CSIRO’s STEM Professionals in Schools program with Martin Jellinek, unpacking how the program helps bridge the gap between classroom teaching and STEM industry practice. We discuss the program’s structure, the flexible supports available to schools, and the powerful role that STEM role models can play in engaging students in STEM pathways. Martin also highlights the rich possibilities that co-designing with industry experts can offer, particularly for teachers working out of field. 

We’re then joined by primary school teacher Sarah Todd, who shares her experience bringing STEM professionals into her school and how these partnerships have strengthened her own teaching. We look at the impact of student-led STEM projects, as she tells us about how her students’ bandicoot-monitoring project led to real change in their local community. 

Links: 

https://www.csiro.au/en/education/Programs/STEM-Professionals-in-Schools-Program 

About Martin Jellinek  

Martin Jellinek is an experienced STEM educator and curriculum leader who now works with CSIRO’s STEM Professionals in Schools program. He draws on his extensive background in teaching and STEM leadership to help build meaningful partnerships between Australian educators and industry professionals. 

About Sarah Todd 

Sarah Todd is a primary school teacher and science specialist from a South Australian public school and a longtime participant in the STEM Professionals in Schools program. She takes a hands-on, inquiry-driven approach to environmental education, with a particular passion for biodiversity projects and connecting students with the natural world. A 2025 SASTA Honour Award recipient and winner of the 2023 SASTA Outstanding Contribution to the Teaching of Science Award, Sarah is recognised for inspiring authentic STEM learning that empowers students to make real change in their local community. 

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What is transdisciplinary STEM learning and how do we make it work in an Australian classroom?  

ACARA curriculum specialist Melanie Hughes unpacks the Australian Curriculum STEM Connections resource and explores how it supports teachers to bring real-world STEM learning into the classroom and the curriculum. We look at the purpose behind the Curriculum connections, the growing need to teach concepts that sit beyond traditional subject boundaries, and how context-rich STEM learning can both lift student engagement and strengthen learning outcomes.  

Links:  

https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/stem-connections  

About Melanie Hughes:  

Melanie Hughes is a curriculum specialist at ACARA, where she leads the Australian Curriculum: Technologies and the General Capability: Digital Literacy. She has extensive experience across primary and secondary education in both the public and independent sectors and has contributed to major technologies focused cross-sector projects in education. Her professional areas of interest span STEM and STEAM,  AI, immersive VR/AR, game-based learning, circular design and media literacy.  

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How do we create a STEM classroom that supports all learners? 

We speak with Dr Matthew Harrison about the challenges neurodivergent students can encounter in STEM learning environments, and the practical, achievable adjustments teachers can make to build more neuro-affirming classrooms.  

Matthew also shares insights from the Next Level Collaboration project, showing how cooperative video games can build social confidence for neurodivergent students while also strengthening confidence and connection in STEM classrooms. 

About Associate Professor Matthew Harrison 

Associate Professor Matthew Harrison is a teacher and researcher whose work focuses on neurodiversity, inclusion, and how digital technology can help students learn and connect. He has taught in Australia, South Korea and the UK, and now leads Autism Intervention teaching at the University of Melbourne. Matthew’s love of gaming inspired his PhD research on how cooperative video games can build social skills and led him to co-found Next Level Collaboration.  

Related links: 

https://nextlevelcollaboration.com/  

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How do we meaningfully incorporate citizen science into classroom teaching?

To celebrate Citizen Science Month this April, we’re joined by citizen science advocate Michelle Neil to explore citizen science is, how it supports STEM learning, and how classroom projects can spark real-world change. We also detail some upcoming Citizen Science Month events and opportunities for schools to get involved.

Ready to get your class involved?

We’ve created a national guide to highlighting Citizen Science Month events and projects. Visit Get into STEM and download the guide and get started!

Michelle Neil

Michelle Neil is an analytical chemist with a background in forensic toxicology, specialising in coronial investigations and quality assurance. Beyond her scientific career, she has been a driving force in Australia’s citizen science movement, holding several leadership positions with the Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA). Michelle is a passionate advocate for bringing real-world science into classrooms and supporting educators to integrate citizen science into STEM teaching.

Hosted by Michelle Hamill for Get into STEM

The Get into STEM podcast is created for Get into STEM (The Diversity in STEM Toolkit). Get into STEM delivers resources to support diverse students at primary and secondary school to see a future for themselves in STEM education and careers. The Get into STEM website and its content provides evidence-based, Australian-curriculum-aligned, educational support resources for teachers, families and carers. 

Get into STEM is funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources and managed by Education Services Australia. 

Find out more at www.getintostem.edu.au.

If you have any feedback or want to get involved with the Get into STEM podcast, send us an email at [email protected].

 

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How do we inspire and equip the next generation of STEM teachers? In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Rachel Sheffield, a leading expert in STEM education working with pre‑service teachers. We discuss how to build confidence in pre‑service teachers as STEM educators, the value of an integrated STEM approach in classroom teaching and why recognising STEM teachers as STEM professionals matters for the entire education and STEM workforce pipeline.

About Professor Rachel Sheffield

Professor Rachel Sheffield is a professor in the School of Education at Curtin University, Australia and prior to her academic career, she was a secondary science educator. Professor Rachel Sheffield is an expert in STEM education, with a focus on inclusive teaching practices and curriculum innovation. She has contributed extensively to research on engaging under-represented communities in science and technology and is a passionate advocate for equity in education. In 2015, Professor Sheffield and her colleagues created STEMinists to develop confidence and competence in STEM.

Hosted by Michelle Hamill for Get into STEM

The Get into STEM podcast is created for Get into STEM: The Diversity in STEM Toolkit. Get into STEM delivers resources to support all students at primary and secondary school to see a future for themselves in STEM education and careers. The Toolkit also provides evidence-based educational support resources for their teachers, families and carers, aligned to the Australian Curriculum. 

Get into STEM: Diversity in STEM Toolkit project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources and managed by Education Services Australia. 

Find out more at www.getintostem.edu.au

If you have any feedback or want to get involved with the Get into STEM podcast, send us an email at [email protected]

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Get Into STEM is a new podcast supporting Australian educators to engage every student in meaningful STEM learning, regardless of background, ability, or experience.

Join STEM educator, writer, and creative Michelle Hamill as she chats with guests about creating neuro‑affirming STEM classrooms, the role of school leaders in STEM education, citizen science in schools, and the opportunities and resources available across the STEM education landscape.

Subscribe now and let's Get into STEM.

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