About ASISTM

Project aims | Project background | Project funding | Eligibility | Project selection criteria | Teacher associates

Project aims

The ASISTM Project is expected to achieve the following outcomes:

1) Encouraging innovation in Australian schools

1. the fostering of a culture of innovation in schools;
2. the development of an elevated capacity and predisposition for innovation in school students;
3. improved levels of coordination of Science, Technology and Mathematics teaching and learning between primary and secondary schools;
4. increased collaboration between Australian schools and science organisations, universities, business and industry and other organisations;

2) Promoting world class teaching and learning

1. growth in numbers of students undertaking Science, Technology and Mathematics teacher education;
2. changes and improvements in teachers' approaches to, and techniques in, teaching Science, Technology and Mathematics;
3. improved Science, Technology and Mathematics student learning outcomes;
4. enhanced student interest and engagement in the learning of Science, Technology and Mathematics;
5. increased numbers of senior secondary school students interested in, and participating in Science, Technology and Mathematics study;

3) Teacher attraction and retention

1. growth in numbers of newly qualified teachers in Australian schools in Science, Technology and Mathematics; and
2. improved retention of teachers in these fields.

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Project background

The ASISTM project is part of the Australian Government's Boosting Innovation, Science, Technology and Mathematics Teaching (BISTMT) Programme.

Boosting Innovation, Science, Technology and Mathematics Teaching (BISTMT) Programme Guidelines
Text version
PDF version

The Australian Government's Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations web page on ASISTM

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ASISTM projects

ASISTM projects are based on the learning areas of Science, Technology and Mathematics. Each of the 350 funded projects funded over the four rounds of the program has been different. They have investigated a broad spectrum of topics reflecting the ASISTM aims.

Funding of over $26 million was made available by the Australian Government for ASISTM school cluster projects throughout Australia over five years.

Individual school cluster initiatives received ASISTM funding in the order of $20,000 to $80,000. Many ASISTM projects have been carried out over a single school year, with some being allowed to continue for up to an extra 6 months.

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Teacher Associates

Teacher Associates have been an integral part of the ASISTM projects. On average, two or three Teacher Associates have been engaged for each project, for limited periods, over part or all of a project's duration, and on a paid or voluntary basis.

Teacher Associates have worked with students, acting as role models and helping teachers to inspire and motivate students by bringing their "real-life" experiences of using Science, Technology or Mathematics into the classroom.

Teacher Associates have been drawn from a range of backgrounds to complement individual projects. These have included:

1.) Teacher Education students (undergraduate and postgraduate)

2.) Other undergraduate and postgraduate students

3.) Postdoctoral researchers

4.) Industry personnel

5.) Local Government and Allied Organisations personnel

6.) Cultural, Science and Allied Organisations personnel

7.) Community personnel

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Critical Friends

Critical Friends are academics selected from universities around the country to provide educational support to projects.

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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2004