The Solid Pathways-STEM online program is an extension program for high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Year 5-6. The program delivers quality online learning that develops students' STEM capabilities and nurtures their scientific curiosity through critical and creative thinking. The program aims to increase participation and achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in STEM and thus reflects the goals of the State School Improvement Strategy 2021-2025: Every Student Succeeding and the key priorities identified in the Advancing Education Action Plan.
Solid Pathways - STEM focusses on authentic, real-world challenges and current research designed to extend and ignite student interest and learning beyond the Australian Curriculum. The program draws on the Australian Curriculum's general capability, critical and creative thinking, and embedding the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. Students have the opportunity to build upon both their existing sense of cultural identity as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and their self-efficacy as high achieving students. Solid Pathways–STEM aims to inspire students' passion and aspiration for STEM and raise their students' expectations of themselves as learners and enhance post-school aspirations.
Solid Pathways - STEM uses Queensland Virtual STEM Academy's (QVSA) innovative, real time, online learning platform (iSee) to deliver the program and enable students to collaborate with other like-minded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Queensland. The program offers four course rounds throughout the year. The courses offered focus on the delivery of enrichment and enhancement programs in which students can build a portfolio of learning experiences and participate in problem-based learning opportunities. Each course consists of 8 to 9 lessons. Each week students attend one 60 minute weekly live online teacher-facilitated lesson.
