THE principals of Gympie’s two public high schools have welcomed moves to send Queensland teachers will go back to school to boost their skills and knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Gympie State High School principal Anthony Lanskey said the move was great news for all schools.

“It is wonderful that Gympie State High School teachers will have the opportunity to further enhance their skills int eh areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” Mr Lanskey said.

“This support will boost the programs our school currently delivers in STEM, computer coding and robotics.”

Nash principal Darrin Edwards echoed those sentiments.

“It is great to see these initiatives being put in place to maintain an expert and contemporary workforce,” he said.

“We have maintained a very high priority for the teaching of STEM skills across our curriculum and this announcement is perfectly timed as James Nash is introducing an Extension-STEM class into our differentiated curriculum for Year 7 students from 2017.

“We will certainly be encouraging our teaching staff to apply for these professional learning opportunities.”

Education Minister Kate Jones said the $3 million professional development program for Queensland’s state school teachers was the first of its kind in Australia.

“We want to ensure our teachers have the skills they need for 21st century classrooms,” Ms Jones said.

“Our teachers have until Friday, June 24, to apply for the online program developed in partnership with Griffith University and the Queensland University of Technology.

“This professional development program will make sure our amazing teachers are kept up-to-date on the very latest teaching and learning techniques in STEM.”

Ms Jones said the Palaszczuk Government recognised STEM skills were vital for Queensland students to be prepared for a range of jobs developing now and in the future.

“Some of the jobs we need to start preparing our students for now don’t even exist,” she said.

“That is why we are committed to offering teachers the professional development opportunities they need to boost their knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis.

“I encourage all our teachers to apply as soon as possible and wish them every success in completing these professional development programs, which start on 25 July.”

Ms Jones said teachers would be able to select from the following STEM professional development and upskilling programs:

• Prep to Year 10 Digital Technologies, to supercharge teaching skills in programing, coding and robotics;
• Primary science, to increase teaching capability and confidence in Prep to Year 6.
• Junior secondary mathematics and science, to help teachers transition from other qualified subject areas to Years 7-9 maths or science; and
• Senior secondary Maths B, Chemistry and Physics, to help teachers transition from other qualified areas to Year 11 and 12 specialty subjects.　

Ms Jones said participants would also have the opportunity to explore further post graduate study in STEM.

For further information visit: http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/employee/teachers/developing-our-teachers.html