Ashdale Secondary College
In 2018, Ashdale Secondary College was granted STEM Teacher Development School status, providing many practical school-based professional learning opportunities for schools across WA. The teaching of STEM at the College aims to develop the six core STEM skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, innovation, collaboration and communication. The College Pathway Planning documents show clear career progression in the areas of Digital Technologies and STEM. There is Compulsory Digital Technology for all students in Years 7 and 8, expanding into a broad range of subject offerings in Years 9 and 10. These include Video Game Design, Advanced Multimedia Design, Software Development, Mechatronics, STEM integrated, Drones and Engineering Studies. Running parallel to this is the College’s ICT Specialist Program with strands in Creative Technology and STEM.The incorporation of a Makerspace in the College’s Creative Lab, a Mechatronics workshop, STEM Garden with an outdoor classroom, three iMac labs, a Recording Studio and Virtual Reality equipment ensure students are fully immersed in STEM. Super STEM classes consisting of students across Years 7-9 working on projects in multi-age, multi-gender and mixed-ability groups, providing opportunities for students to develop solutions to real-world problems whilst learning from each other.
