STEM Education Research Centre (SERC)
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education Research Centre, led by Centenary Professor Tom Lowrie, focuses on innovations in technology and STEM education research. SERC’s mission is to shape the direction of research in these teaching professions and enhance pedagogical content knowledge, and become an international leader in education research. Our research covers four overarching themes:
STEM Pedagogy and Practice
Our researchers examine STEM practice(s) in context. We investigate how school and out-of-school learning opportunities and situated environments influence the way in which students solve tasks and problems.
Learning Environments and Communities
Given the trend toward using digital technologies, our research in this area explores how technological platforms and tools influence the way in which information is collected, represented, accessed, analysed and interpreted.
The Role and Nature of Spatial Thinking in STEM
Individuals with high spatial-reasoning skills are more likely to enter STEM professions. We develop and systematically trial intervention programs that develop students’ spatial reasoning skills in ways that transfer to mathematics performance.
Learning in Remote and Diverse Communities
A key focus for the SERC team is examining learning in remote and diverse communities. We seek to provide these vulnerable communities with equal opportunity to access our pedagogically rich and technologically innovative programs.
Research projects
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education Research Centre has established itself through a number of Research projects focusing on innovations in technology and mathematics education research.
University of Canberra Centenary Professor Tom Lowrie and his team of researchers are undertaking a number of research projects focused around the early years, primary and secondary students learning and education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).