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STEMworks is a partnership between Museums Victoria and the Victorian Catholic Education Authority. As part of this partnership, we have delivered student and teacher co-learning Design Sprints, STEM Professional Learning workshops and offered in-depth STEM learning support through our Partner School program.
Scienceworks invites Catholic school students and teachers to join us for a funded STEM workshop that tackles real world problems.
Our Design Sprints are day-long, fast-paced STEM design challenges for primary and secondary school students. Students and teachers will meet STEM experts, explore Scienceworks, delve into contemporary issues related to the curriculum, and utilise their creativity to solve authentic problems.
Teachers can also take part in free professional learning workshops, to dig deeper into STEM Design Thinking, and explore practical ways to implement STEM activities in schools.
Design Sprints offer a rich, cross-curricular experience. Some of the many areas of the Victorian Curriculum addressed in a Design Sprint experience include:
Science
Design and Technologies
Critical and Creative Thinking
Social Awareness and Management
All STEMworks Design Sprints and Professional Learning sessions are fully supported by the VCEA, and offered to all Catholic school teachers free of charge.
To book in for a Design Sprint or Professional Learning session, send the following details to: schools@museum.vic.gov.au
If you have any questions about the programs, please email: CatholicSchoolSTEM@museum.vic.gov.au. This inbox is monitored Monday to Wednesday.
Our modern world relies on electrical circuits, yet they can seem mysterious and scary. But with the right tools and a bit of help, we can use them to do fun and surprising things!
Students will visit the Lightning Theatre to learn about electricity, circuits, and safety, then they'll hear from (and ask questions of) an expert speaker who works creatively with electronics.
Then, students will apply their new understanding of circuits and electricity to design and construct a working prototype of an electronic game or challenge.
Teachers will be provided with supplementary STEM resources, and are encouraged to book a follow-up professional learning session.
10am to 3pm Wednesday 6th August 2025
Year levels: 3 to 8
Cost: Free
Where: On-site at Scienceworks (In the Spotswood Pumping station)
Teachers will learn STEM workshop planning and facilitation techniques, get hands on with design activities, and leave with a Scienceworks created lesson plan to try in your classroom.
5pm to 7pm Monday 18th August 2025
Cost: Free
Where: On-site at Scienceworks
Please note: This session uses the Circuit design sprint as a case study, but does not rely on teachers having attended that sprint.
Thousands of people travel to Scienceworks every day. Schools, families, employees, tourists, by bus, train, bike, and boat! But our transport system has problems, with traffic, rainy walks, and tricky bike paths to name just a few. Can we find better ways?
Students will visit the Lightning Theatre to learn about energy use and generation, then they'll hear from (and ask questions of) an expert speaker, working on Melbourne’s urban planning and transport network.
Then, students will apply their knowledge to design and construct a prototype transport solution for their chosen user and location, focusing on sustainability and accessibility.
Teachers will be provided with supplementary STEM resources, and are encouraged to book a follow-up professional learning session.
10am to 3pm Wednesday 6th August 2025
Cost: Free
Year levels: 5 to 8
Where: On-site at Scienceworks (based in the Spotswood Pumping station)
Teachers will learn STEM workshop planning and facilitation techniques, get hands on with design activities, and leave with a Scienceworks created lesson plan to try in your classroom.
5pm to 7pm Monday 15th September 2025
Cost: Free
Where: On-site at Scienceworks
Please note: This session uses the Transport design sprint as a case study, but does not rely on teachers having attended that sprint.
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Museums Victoria acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung Bunurong peoples of the eastern Kulin Nations where we work, and First Peoples across Victoria and Australia.
First Peoples are advised that this site may contain voices, images, and names of people now passed and content of cultural significance.
