STEM Program of Excellence
Kimberley Park State School is the STEM Primary school in the South East Region offering a specialised STEM Pathway of Excellence in STEM. This is a select entry program that is open to all students in Year 3, 4 and 5.
Students in the program will be offered accelerated learning opportunities in STEM including Robotics, Coding, Science, Engineering and Mathematics through integrated learning pathways.
Students in the program are immersed in inquiry-based learning experience that encourage critical thinking and creativity, promoting student capacity to solve genuine and complex real-world problems. The program is specifically designed to develop and maximise potential in an environment that promotes a strong culture of academic excellence, preparing students for future pathways.
Students engage in learning programs with educational and industry partners including The University of Queensland, Griffith University, Queensland's Trust for Nature and the Queensland Museum.
Who should apply?
- Current or prospective students in years 3, 4 and 5 who are achieving academically and are highly motivated in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
- Students who thrive in a collaborative learning environment that is challenging and engaging.
- Students who enjoy investigative processes to explore and create possible ideas and solutions to global issues.
How do students apply?
The application process for the STEM Pathway of Excellence is completed online. The application process are as follows.
Round one
- Open: Monday 29 April 2024
- Close: Friday 24 May 2024
- Testing date: Term 2 2024 Weeks 7 and 8
Round two
- Open: Monday 30 September 2024
- Close: Friday 18 October 2024
- Testing date: Term 4 2024 Weeks 4 and 5
Applications after the application window closes may not be accepted.
STEM Excellence 2025 Expression of Interest FormSelection procedure
The STEM Pathway of Excellence offer limited places, students are selected based on the following criteria.
- Academic achievement
- Entry Test results
- Student engagement at school
- Student response on application
- Participation and interest in STEM activities within and external to their school community
Program costs
A fee of $140.00, is payable upon acceptance into the program. The fee covers costs for resources for the STEM, Robotics programs your child will be participating in and the Wonder of Science fee.
Can I visit and see the program in action?
Absolutely, we welcome prospective students and their families to observe student learning to see if the program is for them. Please contact the school for available dates for a school tour.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the STEM Pathway of Excellence and STEM Scholarship please use the contact below. Please include your child's name and current year level in your correspondence.
Bridgette Bird- STEM CHAMPION
bbird31@eq.edu.auRobotics at KPSS is an extra-curricular activity that is offered to the “STEM Pathway of Excellence” students with the purpose to foster Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics research by providing a standard problem where a wide range of technologies can be integrated and examined through project-oriented education that will equip students for a future in our technology-driven world.
The Robotics program at KPSS provides an invaluable opportunity for students to build critical and creative thinking skills in design thinking, programming, engineering, project management, problem solving and collaboration. Students learn and explore in class groups with the opportunity for very enthusiastic students, who like to go the extra mile, to participate in various competitions.
Our most popular competition is RoboCup Junior that offers several divisions from novice to experienced students in a range of skills of digital technologies and platforms. RoboCup Junior is a project-oriented educational initiative that encompasses not only vital STEM skills, but also addresses social development by encouraging sportsmanship, sharing, teamwork, understanding of differences between individuals and nations, cooperation and organisational skills.