Questacon is helping science teachers boost the number of Australians with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills.

A critical education exchange course happened this week, to shape the elements of a national trial teacher mentoring programme with Questacon, the ANU, the University of Canberra (UC), the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) and the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Science Karen Andrews said she was excited to observe firsthand staff and facilitators sharing knowledge and preparing for the new programme.

“Australia's economic growth depends on us increasing the number of people with STEM based skills,” Ms Andrews said.

“Industry is already telling us that 75 percent of the fastest growing jobs require STEM skills and we can’t be complacent.”

Andrews said Australia needs to foster science, technology, engineering and mathematics literacy in future generations because STEM skills are going to be the key to the jobs of tomorrow and will be critical to our future economic and social wellbeing as a nation.

“Making sure our teachers have the necessary support and information is the foundation of ensuring the next generation of STEM graduates.

“Staff will learn new skills in the science programming area from our US visitors, while sharing their world-class expertise with technology, engineering and mathematical concepts,” she added.