Bringing science to life in the classroom; boosting STEM student outcomes

During Science Week in 2021, Charles Sturt Lecturer in biology and environmental sciences, Ms Celia Connor, partnered with Wagga Wagga Council and local community organisations to obtain a microscope.

Using the microscope, Ms Connor, along with University teaching and research staff, led workshops with over 80 children from Kindergarten to Year 6. The workshops produced images created by the students using the microscope’s camera. These images were exhibited as part of the Riverina Science Festival ‘Microscopia’.

Building on this activity, Ms Connor delivered an online session for teachers, ‘Teach the teacher, bringing science to life in your classroom’. The workshop addressed the challenges of primary science education and suggested ways to improve student outcomes in primary science.

Activities such as introducing a microscope can “be a platform to engage students in hands-on activities and increase confidence and capacity in STEM”, says Ms Connor.