Stemiverse 0051 – Christie Evans discusses learning through real-world problem-solving

In this episode, Dr. Peter Dalmaris talks with Christie Evans.

Christie has a deep interest in STEM initiated by a science degree at Flinders University, then further developed by a strong classroom practice from her first days of teaching.

Within the classroom, Christie engages students through problem-based learning with real-world applications using a cross-curricular inquiry model.

Christie’s enthusiasm for both the Sciences and Technologies has enabled her to have a significant impact not only at her site but across several schools. Teachers recognize, and are enlightened by, her progressive pedagogies and connection to authentic context and are thereby motivated to adopt this way of teaching.

This is Stemiverse Podcast episode 51.

Stemiverse podcast is brought to you by Tech Explorations, a leading provider of educational resources for Makers, STEM students, and teachers. Go to techexplorations.com to see a complete list of our books and courses covering the Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and electronics.

Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction – Introducing Christie Evans

[01:36] Seaview Downs Primary School, South Australia

[02:24] Christie talks about her background, her studies in Science and Education, and her excitement about linking STEM with Industry and grounding teaching to reality

[04:35] Studying Science at Flinders University of South Australia and Christie’s interest in Marine Biology

[05:44] The spark that caused Christie’s career change from Science to Teaching, bringing her back to University to study Education

[07:10] Christie’s philosophy of education, her teaching style, and methodology: Inspired by Kath Murdoch‘s Inquiry Model – The distinction between project-based and problem-based learning

[08:35] An example of an inquiry model used in a class and another example of problem-based learning

[11:23] Fulton Hogan Construction and Edwardstown Primary School collaboration: Giving students the chance to address real-world problems

[15:54] Industry professionals mentoring students during the research process

[17:31] Preparing the industry professionals to teach in a classroom and to inspire young people to become engineers or scientists – Fulton Hogan’s Graduate Program

[19:57] Companies and industry professionals are interested in being involved with education and getting young students, particularly girls, excited about STEM

[21:25] How to approach companies and invite them to do a collaboration project

[24:11] Students’ comments about their experience with the project, and the immediate and long-term outcomes of problem-based learning

[28:19] How problem-based learning, female mentorship and role-models influence girls in developing and pursuing their interest in STEM

[31:09] Christie’s experience with the Educator on Board RV Investigator Program, by CSIRO

[38:21] Transferable skills for future learning: Collecting and classifying data, applying scientific methods and processes, solving problems, making decisions, designing, critiquing, and more

[40:44] How scientists use computer models and supercomputers to model the Tour de France

[42:01] How a teacher can participate to the Educator on Board RV Investigator Program – Website to apply for the program

[45:40] Rapid Fire Questions

[45:51] Who has been the most influential person in shaping the way that Christie teaches?

[48:16] Christie cannot live without this app: Evidence for Learning

[50:09] Christie’s advice to educators just starting out

[52:24] Christie’s Contact Information: Email: [email protected], YouTube Channel: SDPS Teacher

In this episode, Dr. Peter Dalmaris talks with Christie Evans.

Christie has a deep interest in STEM initiated by a science degree at Flinders University, then further developed by a strong classroom practice from her first days of teaching.

Within the classroom, Christie engages students through problem-based learning with real-wor