Montello Primary School STEM specialist teacher Daniel Edwards big plans for 2023

STEM specialist teacher Daniel Edwards is on his way to making his school on the North West coast the first in Australia to be involved with an exciting green power initiative.

Making the seemingly impossible possible – such is the wonder experienced by STEM specialist teacher Daniel Edwards.

While the multi-award winning teacher at Montello Primary School on Tasmania’s North West coast has been gaining wider recognition for his innovative programs, his motivation lies in helping students reach their potential.

In his specialist role, as the first STEM teacher at the school, Mr Edwards has helped develop the STEM-dedicated Makerspace, coached student teams to awards and finals of numerous national and international STEM challenges and regularly collaborates and shares knowledge with other educators.

“This is my third year as a STEM specialist teacher and 10th year teaching; it’s already shaping up to be, by far, the biggest and best year yet,” Mr Edwards said.

“The Makerspace is our STEM classroom, where I take Prep to Year 6 six classes for STEM focused lessons each week in addition to a number of extension and elective classes.

STEM specialist teacher is in the process of founding GreenSTEM education which will establish the Tasmanian Electric Vehicle Challenge. Picture: Simon Sturzaker

“Our Makerspace was generously supported by Australian Schools Plus and Google Australia in 2021. We’ve continued to refine and develop our STEM program and integrated it into a number of learning areas across the school.”

This year, the Makerspace moved to a larger area in the school, allowing for many more opportunities.

“The Makerspace is accessible to students during break times to support and encourage their participation in Children’s University (led by the University of Tasmania to promote lifelong learning),” Mr Edwards said.

“The expanded Makerspace makes many exciting new activities and programs possible. Some of these include a Girl Founder Club, Drone Club, Esports and virtual reality creation, in addition to our previously existing offerings such as FIRST Lego League, Code Club and Minecraft Education.”

Mr Edwards was one of 22 teachers selected last year by the leading national Education Not-for-Profit, Australian Schools Plus, to take part in a 12-month Fellowship.

The award consisted of $25,000 funding for the school, which Mr Edwards plans to use to make Montello PS the first school in Australia to be involved with Greenpower Education Trust and establish the Greenpower Tasmania Electric Vehicle Challenge.

The award also included $10,000 in funding for professional development, which Mr Edwards will put towards a UK study tour to attend Greenpower race events and visit participating schools.

Mr Edwards plans to bring what he learns during a study tour to the UK back to his school on Tasmania’s North West coast. Picture: Simon Sturzaker

“I’m aiming to build greater connections, consistency and support between schools and their approach to STEM education, which is one of my main priorities in introducing Greenpower to Tasmania,” Mr Edwards said.

As his recognition grows, Mr Edwards said his main motivation comes from his students.

“A student towards the end of last year wrote a note saying ‘Mr Edwards is the best because he makes things that I didn’t even think were possible come true’,” he said. “I think that note, more than anything else I could say, summarises the best part about my work.

“I’m constantly inspired by seeing students realise and pursue the limitless opportunities that STEM learning opens for them.”

Schools Plus CEO Rosemary Conn said Mr Edwards was an inspiration.

“From exploring outer space with VR goggles to competing in international STEM competitions with kids from across the pacific, Daniel has used his STEM learning to show his students from rural Tasmania the world,” Ms Conn said.

“What’s so incredible is that Daniel has used his expertise to generate a real cultural shift in the community’s engagement in school and with each other.

“I was so inspired when visiting Daniel’s school recently and seeing how the students were using 3D printing technology to make custom tools that helped kids with additional needs overcome everyday struggles.”