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5/12/24
Building a STEM Ecosystem with PNG.
A transformative whole school approach to STEM
At Paradise College in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, students and teachers are experiencing a new way of learning—one that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on problem-solving. Through an innovative STEM education program, STEM Punks is empowering educators and students to explore, experiment, and develop real-world skills in an engaging and meaningful way.
This year-long program, delivered through face-to-face workshops, online sessions, and self-paced learning, has already impacted 400+ students and provided 30 teachers with practical tools to enhance STEM education in their classrooms.
Building a STEM Culture at Paradise College
The program at Paradise College is designed to make STEM learning accessible, engaging, and relevant for students from early years to high school. With a strong emphasis on exploration and discovery, students and teachers have taken part in a range of interactive sessions designed to build confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills.
Key Highlights:
• Teacher Innovation Sprint – Hands-on professional development focused on design thinking and STEM pedagogy.
• STEM Runway for K-6 Students – A high-energy event where younger students explored STEM through interactive challenges.
• Three In-Country Delivery Programs – Direct engagement with STEM Punks educators, ensuring continued support and guidance.
• Australian STEM Study Tour – Four Paradise College teachers visited leading STEM schools in Australia, gaining insights into best practices.
• Mentorship from Prof. Yalinu Poya Gow – A Papua New Guinea STEM leader inspiring students with her journey in science and engineering.
Teachers Leading the Change
The program’s teacher development sessions have given educators the confidence and tools to integrate STEM into their curriculum effectively. By focusing on practical applications and inquiry-based learning, teachers are now leading engaging STEM experiences in their own classrooms.
Teacher Feedback:
✅ 100% gained knowledge and skills they could apply in their teaching.
✅ 100% would recommend the program to other educators.
✅ 97% felt more confident teaching STEM-related subjects.
“Creating an autonomous robot and a smart home was an incredible experience! STEM is so hands-on, and it makes you think outside the box. It was exciting and engaging—I can’t wait to implement these ideas in my classroom.” – Paradise College Teacher
“Creating an autonomous robot and a smart home was an incredible experience! STEM is so hands-on, and it makes you think outside the box. It was exciting and engaging—I can’t wait to implement these ideas in my classroom.” – Paradise College Teacher
Student Engagement: Learning Through Doing
For students, the program has been a shift from passive learning to hands-on problem-solving. Whether it was coding smart systems, designing prototypes, or tackling real-world challenges, students engaged with STEM in a way that made learning fun, meaningful, and empowering.
Student Survey Results:
✅ 97% learned something new.
✅ 97% gained confidence in STEM subjects.
✅ 93% improved their understanding of STEM career pathways.
✅ 100% enjoyed the program.
“STEM is about solving real problems, and I love that we get to experiment and test ideas. It’s exciting to see what we can create!” – Year 7 Student
Hands-On Learning with STEM Innovation Kits
A key part of the program was the use of STEM Innovation Kits, giving students the opportunity to build, experiment, and apply STEM concepts in a hands-on way.
These kits provided:
• Real-world applications – Connecting classroom learning to tangible projects.
• Interactive problem-solving – Encouraging students to test and refine their ideas.
• Accessibility for all learners – Making STEM engaging, no matter their background or experience level.
What’s Next?
The STEM Punks and Paradise College partnership is just the beginning of a broader push to embed STEM thinking across all year levels. With strong foundations now in place, the focus is on sustaining momentum, supporting teachers, and continuing to make STEM a core part of learning at Paradise College.
This program is about more than just teaching STEM subjects—it’s about creating a mindset of exploration, creativity, and problem-solving that students can carry into their futures.
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