(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
At Donvale Primary School, STEM learning provides students with rich opportunities to explore, question, design and problem solve. Through hands-on investigations and collaborative learning, students develop curiosity, creativity and confidence in understanding how the world works.
STEM learning is delivered by classroom teachers, ensuring strong connections with classroom programs and consistent teaching approaches across the school.
STEM learning is embedded within classroom programs and taught through dedicated STEM sessions across the school. All students from Prep to Year 6 participate in regular STEM learning, with sessions taking place in a purpose-built double STEM learning space.
This flexible environment is designed to support:
exploration and experimentation
planning, building and testing ideas
collaboration and discussion
hands-on learning through real materials
The space is equipped with a wide range of resources, including robotics, construction kits, engineering materials and laboratory equipment, allowing students to actively engage in learning rather than simply observe.
STEM learning at Donvale Primary School aligns with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, drawing on key concepts from both Science and Design and Technologies.
Through STEM units, students develop understanding in areas such as:
scientific inquiry and investigation
biological, physical, chemical, earth and space sciences
identifying problems and designing solutions
planning, creating, testing and refining designs
Teachers explicitly guide students through these processes, ensuring learning is structured, purposeful and well supported.
Digital technologies are used thoughtfully to support STEM learning. Students have access to iPads to:
research and document investigations
code and control digital tools
create and communicate ideas
reflect on learning and share outcomes
Students in Prep to Year 2 use shared class sets of iPads, while students in Years 3–6 access devices through the school’s BYO program.
STEM learning encourages students to think like scientists, engineers and designers. Students are supported to:
ask questions and make predictions
explore multiple solutions to problems
collaborate with others
reflect on outcomes and improve ideas
Where appropriate, STEM units incorporate student choice, allowing students to explore areas of interest, select materials or tools, and decide how they present their learning. This choice supports engagement, ownership and deeper learning.
Students across the school engage in a range of STEM units designed to spark curiosity and develop problem-solving skills, including:
Creating Digital Solutions – coding using block-based and text-based languages with robots such as Dash and Sphero
Leaders in STEM – exploring influential figures in STEM and learning about future pathways and careers
Lego Gadgets – investigating simple machines and physical science concepts
Fairytale Solutions – designing and engineering solutions to meet community needs through storytelling
Building Our World – designing cities and infrastructure
Animal Adaptations – exploring how animals adapt to their environments
Our Country – learning about the environment through Indigenous perspectives of land, water and sky
Minecraft Education – experimenting with biomes and designing sustainable worlds
The Earth, the Sky and Beyond – exploring earth sciences, weather patterns and space
Data and Communication – using digital platforms to create and communicate ideas safely and responsibly
Units are carefully selected for each year level and build in complexity as students progress through the school.
Through STEM learning, students develop essential skills such as:
critical and creative thinking
collaboration and communication
persistence and resilience
problem solving and reasoning
These skills support students not only in STEM learning, but across all areas of the curriculum and in everyday life.
Families are encouraged to speak with their child’s teacher if they have questions about STEM learning or upcoming units. We value strong partnerships with families in supporting students’ curiosity, creativity and learning.
