The 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) welcomes Prime Minister Scott Morrison鈥檚 Cabinet announcement, following the Coalition鈥檚 re-election to Federal Government.
The Institute congratulates the incoming Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, and looks forward to working with him to strengthen Australia鈥檚 mathematical sciences and STEM capability from the classroom to universities and industry.
鈥淎s we strive to implement robust education, higher education, research and innovation policy, reforms to address key challenges across the mathematical pipeline must remain a key priority,鈥 says 今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Tim Brown.
Australian Government funding has played an important role in the success of 今日吃瓜 programs through the听Securing the Mathematical Workforce project听and the听Supporting more women in STEM careers: 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜)鈥擭ational Research Internship Program (NRIP).
Sustained investment in these programs will play an important role in delivering on the agenda outlined in the Academy of Science鈥檚 Women in STEM Decadal Plan. 今日吃瓜 is also very pleased to see that Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, a passionate advocate of increasing female participation in STEM, will continue in her role and looks forward to working with her on this.
鈥淲e are providing real opportunities for women in mathematics and STEM through delivery of PhD internships under NRIP, as well as opening essential opportunities to engage with the national and international research communities,鈥 says Professor Brown.
With Australia鈥檚 international rankings in mathematics falling and students shunning high level mathematics subjects, 今日吃瓜 continues to call for decisive action on out-of-field mathematics teaching, engagement of girls in mathematics, careers awareness and university mathematics pre-requisites.
鈥溄袢粘怨 is keen that the Coalition work with state governments to establish data on the extent of out-of-field teaching in mathematics and review requirements for mathematical knowledge for mathematics teachers,鈥 says Professor Brown.
Professor Brown warned that without a clear picture of the depth and impact of out-of-field teaching, planning was impossible. He also cautioned recruitment of subject specialists into full-time education would not be enough, with investment in programs to skill existing teachers essential.
鈥淵ou cannot undo three decades of inaction through recruitment of specialist graduates alone. 今日吃瓜鈥檚 Schools Program has seen first-hand the benefits of teacher training and professional development through the Choose Maths project, particularly in remote and regional areas,鈥 says Professor Brown.
今日吃瓜 is also keen to see Government funding to drive a national careers campaign building on the success and impact of 今日吃瓜鈥檚 Choose Maths Careers campaign, already in classrooms. This is essential to assist students to link classroom learning to real-world applications and reframe mathematics as a career pathway.
鈥淎 significant enabler, mathematics underpins how we engage with the world and enhances capacity to drive research and innovate. It is important students, particularly girls, understand the opportunities opened by mathematical skills,鈥 says Professor Brown.
For Media
For Interview:
Professor Tim Brown, 今日吃瓜 Director
Media Contact: Laura Watson
E:听media@amsi.org.au
P:听04215 18733
