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STEM Presenter Gathering May 2019
On the 5th – 7th May, ATSIMA hosted a presenter gathering for the NSW AECG STEM Camp presenters in Sydney. The purpose of the gathering was to bring together presenters to connect with each other, share ideas, look for synergies and explore new ideas.
See ATSIMA presenters workshop abstracts and bio here
Some of the presenters and organisers at the STEM Presenters Gathering
Left front - Christian Maskey, Duane Hamacher, Rebecca Harcourt, Nicola Curnow. Left back - Kargun Fogarty, Torres Webb, Chris Matthews, Melinda Pearson, Raymond Timbery.A cultural walk around La Perouse was lead by Mr Raymond Ingrey a traditional land owner and was a fascinating experience.
NSW STEM/STEAM Camps 2019
ATSIMA in collaboration with the NSW AECG Inc, the NSW Department of Education and Connected Communities is coordinating STEM and STEAM camps for Aboriginal students in regional and remote NSW.
The camps are a huge success and have fostered students’ interest in the STEM and STEAM subjects and for students to engage with industries to see the practical applications of STEM and STEAM subjects.
The 2019 NSW STEM and STEAM Camp dates are:
3-5 June - Lake Ainsworth
17-19 June - Berry
1-3 July - Berry
14-16 August - Rathmines
26-28 August - Lake Burrendong
6-8 November - Stanwell Tops
For more information click here.
The first two camps for the year at Lake Ainsworth and Berry NSW have been very successful with the majority of students and teachers giving a high ranking for all the workshops and activities.
Kargun Fogarty (Moojidi) delivering his worshop Coroboree Equations at a NSW STEM Camp.
ATSIMA Vision
ATSIMA vision is 'all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners will be successful in mathematics'.
Raymond Timbery delivering his workshop Cultural Yarning at a NSW STEM camp.
STEM Congress South Australia - May 2019
ATSIMA has been involved in the STEM Congress since inception and this year saw the 3rd STEM Congress for Indigenous students. The theme of the Congress was “Living in two Worlds”, which was developed by the YASTA team; a group of Indigenous students that lead and shape the Congress. This year more than 500 Indigenous students attended the Congress, which has grown from 100 Indigenous students in 2017 and 200 Indigenous students in 2018.
ATSIMA Canvas
The signed ATSIMA canvas that you see as the background of this website is a very important part of ATSIMA history and future. It is a symbol of the commitment that delegates made at the 2016 ATSIMA conference to 'start the revolution' in mathematics education for Indigenous learners. Delegates in attendance at the 2018 ATSIMA Conference also signed the canvas continuing the commitment already made.
ATSIMA 2016 Conference identified the urgent need to develop an Indigenous mathematics curriculum as a step towards supporting Indigenous students’ identity in the teaching and learning of mathematics. This call recognises that education and the curriculum is culturally laden, and that it explicitly and implicitly teaches the values and norms of the Western culture. It is envisaged that an Indigenous mathematics curriculum will be the meeting place of these two knowledge systems, where both are valued and connections are celebrated.
This is the canvas that delegates signed as a commitment to 'start the revolution' of mathematics education for Indigenous learners. All delegates present at future conferences will have the opportunity to sign the canvas and committing to the revolution.
Professional Development in 2019
May and June 2019
Dr Chris Matthews has been working with teachers from Yirrkala Bilingual School, North East Arnhem Land, NT around embedding Indigenous perspectives in mathematics curriculum.Dr Chris delivering a workshop at Roma Mitchell Secondary College in Adelaide, South Australia
March 2019
Dr Chris Matthews visited Roma Mitchell Secondary College and worked with teachers from the Department of Education in South Australia around the theme linear equations through patterning and self expression, algebra through dance and trigonometry based on Aboriginal kingship systms.
Below is some feedback received from the sessions.
'Humorous, respectful, knowledgeable, relaxed, humane, interesting and interested'
'Very engaging dance activity and connection with compiling equations from it'
'It was particularly valuable to look at mathematics through 1 or more different lenses, cultural perspectives, big picture, making connections'
'I believe there are some valuable takeaways that could be applied immediately to learning and learners'
January 2019
Dr Chris and Kargun Fogarty delivering a workshop at Gumbaynggirr country Coffs Harbour NSW.
Dr Chris Matthews and Kargun Fogarty visited Gumbaynggirr Country (Coffs Harbour) for Bulari Muurlay Nyanggan (Two Paths Strong) Aboriginal Corporation. They presented some PD sessions students and teachers around algebra through traditional dance.
Every student and teacher in the school has been involved in dancing Gumbaynggirr welcome dance, and the older Aboriginal students have become the culture teachers in the school.
