Western Sydney University School of Education is currently conducting research into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education at primary schools across Australia through a survey that examines primary teachers’ confidence and beliefs about their abilities to teach integrated STEM.
The aim of the project is to develop a survey instrument that measures STEM teaching efficacy of primary school teachers. At present there are very few instruments that measure STEM teacher self-efficacy. In order to build teacher capacity and confidence, it is essential to begin with an instrument that provides a valid measure of teachers’ confidence and beliefs in relation to teaching STEM.
This study will benefit the wider research community and make a contribution to international STEM education literature by developing a psychometrically valid research instrument. The findings of the survey will provide a better understanding of enablers and barriers of STEM teaching self-efficacy of primary school teachers.
The survey is aimed at all primary teachers in Australia regardless of their knowledge of STEM. Primary teachers do not have to be teaching STEM to complete this survey.
The survey, which is completely anonymous, includes questions that collect teacher background information and 40 items that explore experience and perspectives on STEM teaching. The questionnaire also includes some open-ended questions that explore STEM teaching at a deeper level. The survey will take approximately 25 minutes to complete.
To begin the survey, click the link below:
Stepping into STEM: Building teacher capacity in primary schools
Image courtesy of Strathcona Baptist Girls’ Grammar School, VIC.