Survey Primary Teachers Attitudes Towards STEM Education

Primary teachers attitudes towards
STEM education
Start of Block: Block 1
Page 1 of 27
Intro Q1 Project Title: Primary school teachers’ attitudes towards STEM Education
Principal Investigator:
Associate Professor Therese Keane
Principal Supervisor,
Department of Education
Swinburne University of Technology;
Dr Andreea Molnar
Coordinating Supervisor
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Dr Tanya Linden
Coordinating Supervisor
Swinburne Business School
Doctoral Candidate: Anita Sharma,

Department of Education,
Swinburne University of Technology

You are invited to take part in a study about teacher perspectives on STEM* education and
experiences of teaching STEM curriculum in primary year levels (* STEM refers to the fields of
Science, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics).
The purpose of this study is to find factors associated with the successful delivery of STEM
lessons and programs of learning in the Victorian Primary Schools sector. The research will
focus on various dimensions of primary school teachers’ attitudes towards STEM and seeks to
clarify how teachers understand and perceive STEM. The study is voluntary. The online survey
that follows takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. While we encourage you to complete the
whole survey, you may stop at any time, save and come back later to finish it.
By agreeing to participate in this survey, you acknowledge your consent for your responses to
be added to the aggregate of scores and ideas you submitted. Only those responses you have
answered will be used in the study.
At the end of the survey, you will be invited to be contacted to be part of a sample of short over-
the-phone/video call conversation to explore any further ideas you may wish to share via a set
of prompt statements. Some participants will be asked to participate in a follow-up interview.
The follow-up interview will mean those survey responses will not be anonymous. However, the
information provided will be handled confidentially.
Page 2 of 27
All forms, data and recordings of you will be kept confidential and stored securely (in either a
locked cabinet or digitally on a password secured computer). Records and materials will be
retained by the University for at least five years after any publication or published outcome. Data
may be used for future projects by the same research team should that team undertake a future
project that involves undertaking similar data collection as a point of comparison. Any use of this
data would occur within five years. Data collected for this project will not be used for future
research projects by other researchers.
If you would like further information about any aspect of the project before agreeing to
participate, please do not hesitate to contact us: Swinburne University of Technology, Associate
Professor Therese Keane Email: [email protected] Tel: (+613) 9214 8579. We look
forward to your input. Any queries about your participation in this project may be directed to the
Principal Investigator listed above. If you have any concerns or complaints about the conduct of
this project, please contact Research Ethics Officer, Swinburne Research (H68), Swinburne
University of Technology, PO Box 218, HAWTHORN VIC 3122. Phone: (03) 9214 3845 or +61
3 9214 3845 or [email protected]
o I agree to participate in the survey

o I do not wish to participate
Skip To: End of Survey If Q1 Project Title: Primary school teachers’ attitudes towards STEM Education
Principal Investig... = I do not wish to participate
End of Block: Block 1
Start of Block: School-specific information in STEM teaching
Intro The following section asks you about the nature of STEM education program at your
school.
Page 3 of 27
Q1 Which year level do you currently teach?
o Early year levels (Foundation, Yr 1 & Yr 2)

o Middle year levels (Yr 3 & Yr 4
o Upper year levels (Yr 5 or Yr 6)
o All year levels as a specialist (Design, Digital Technologies or a STEM teacher)
o All year levels as a Casual Teacher
o Other ________________________________________________
Q2 Has a dedicated STEM program been introduced in your school?
o Yes
o No
Display This Question:

If Has a dedicated STEM program been introduced in your school? = Yes
Q2.1 Please briefly explain how the STEM program is run in your school?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Page 4 of 27
Q3 Please select how often do you teach STEM lessons?
o Three or more times a week

o Twice a week
o Once a week
o Once a fortnight
o Once a month
o Ongoing STEM project
o Through co-curricular activities only
o I do not teach STEM at all.
Skip To: End of Block If Please select how often do you teach STEM lessons? = I do not teach STEM at
all.
Q4 Do you teach STEM as a stand-alone learning program in your class?
o Yes, I am a Science/STEM specialist who runs a stand-alone STEM program in all

grades.
o Yes, I am a generalist primary teacher who runs a stand-alone STEM program in my

class.
o No, I integrate one or more STEM subjects within a learning area in my teaching
sessions.
Skip To: Q4.2 If Do you teach STEM as a stand-alone learning program in your class? = No, I integrate
one or more STEM subjects within a learning area in my teaching sessions.
Skip To: Q4.1 If Do you teach STEM as a stand-alone learning program in your class? = Yes, I am a
Science/STEM specialist who runs a stand-alone STEM program in all grades.
Skip To: Q4.1 If Do you teach STEM as a stand-alone learning program in your class? = Yes, I am a
Science/STEM specialist who runs a stand-alone STEM program in all grades.
Page 5 of 27
Q4.1 If you teach STEM as a stand-alone program, what kind of program do you run in school?
Please select all which apply in your case.
▢ One time problem-solving design or challenge activities focusing on the content students
are learning in different learning areas.
▢ Long-term design or challenge-based projects target different learning areas, including

whole-term focus.
▢ Independent Robotics Program through robotics kits suitable for different year levels.
▢ Other programs, please briefly explain.

________________________________________________

If Do you teach STEM as a stand-alone learning program in your class? = No, I integrate one or
more STEM subjects within a learning area in my teaching sessions.
Page 6 of 27
Q4.2
If you teach STEM within a Learning Area, please select the Learning Areas in which you
teach STEM most of the time?
▢ English
▢ Mathematics
▢ Science
▢ Humanities and Social Sciences
▢ Arts
▢ Technologies
▢ Health and Physical Education
▢ The Languages
▢ Other, Please specify ________________________________________________

If Do you teach STEM as a stand-alone learning program in your class? = No, I integrate one or
more STEM subjects within a learning area in my teaching sessions.
Page 7 of 27
Q4.3 How do you prefer integrating STEM in your class? You may select up to two options from
the list below.
▢ Integrating one or more STEM subjects within a learning area.
▢ Integrating all STEM subjects within a learning area.
▢ I prefer to run a separate STEM program integrating Learning Areas' content required
attention.
▢ Other Method, Please
Explain______________________________________________
End of Block: School-specific information in STEM teaching
Start of Block: Planning Integrated STEM lessons
Intro Planning STEM units depends on many factors and type of STEM program implemented in
your school. Please share your experiences in planning STEM lessons.
Q5 Most teachers find integrating all STEM subjects under one activity difficult.
o Strongly disagree
o Disagree
o Neutral
o Agree
o Strongly Agree
Page 8 of 27
Q6 I have enough knowledge of STEM subjects’ content to teach these subjects well in primary
school.
o Strongly Disagree
o Disagree
o Neutral
o Agree
o Strongly Agree
Q7 Most teachers find the meaning of integrated STEM confusing.
o Strongly Disagree
o Disagree
o Neutral
o Agree
o Strongly Agree
Page 9 of 27
Q8 How well equipped is your school in terms of resources to teach integrated STEM units?
o My school doesn't have any resources.

o Some resources are there.
o Moderately Equipped.
o Well Equipped.
Page 10 of 27
Page 11 of 27
Q9 Most of my integrated STEM lesson resembles one or more of the following formats:
▢ STEM lessons must integrate concepts from Science and Mathematics to solve the
problem.
▢ STEM lessons must integrate concepts from Technology and Science and Mathematics
to solve the problem.
▢ STEM class must integrate concepts from all the four subjects: Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics to solve the problem.
▢ STEM lessons must integrate concepts from Arts or other subjects and Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to solve the problem.
Page 12 of 27
▢ Other, Please specify. ________________________________________________
Q10 Please select the Mathematics strands that have been part of your STEM lessons.
▢ Numeracy skills
▢ Number and Algebra
▢ Measurement and Geometry
▢ Statistics and Probability
Q11 Please select the Science strands that have been part of your STEM lessons.
▢ Science Inquiry skills
▢ Science as a human endeavour
▢ Biological sciences
▢ Chemical sciences
▢ Earth and space sciences
▢ Physical sciences
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Q12 Please select which Design and Technology topics have been part of your STEM classes?
▢ Engineering principles and systems
▢ Food and fibre production
▢ Food specialisations
▢ Materials and Technologies
▢ Creating designed solutions through the Engineering design process
Q13 Technology plays an important role in STEM lessons. Please select how your STEM
lessons often include following components of Digital Technology or Information Communication
Technology ?
Technology tools like MS word, Power point,

▼ Almost never (1) ... Daily (5)
Blogs, search engines, Video filming etc. (6)
Collect, access and present different types of
data using range of software to create ▼ Almost never (1) ... Daily (5)
information and solve problems. (2)
Examine the main components of common
digital systems (hardware and software ▼ Almost never (1) ... Daily (5)
components) for a purpose. (1)
Creating digital solutions. (3) ▼ Almost never (1) ... Daily (5)
Study of networks to transmit data. (4) ▼ Almost never (1) ... Daily (5)
Design, modify and follow simple algorithms
represented diagrammatically and in English,
▼ Almost never (1) ... Daily (5)
involving sequences of steps, branching, and
iteration (5)
Page 14 of 27
Q14 Is the terminology STEAM (Science, Mathematics, Technology, Arts and Mathematics)
preferred over STEM in your school?
o Yes
o No
o Maybe

If Is the terminology STEAM (Science, Mathematics, Technology, Arts and Mathematics) preferred
over... = Yes
Q14.1 Which strands of the Arts have been part of your STEAM lessons?
▢ Visual Arts
▢ Media Arts
▢ Visual Communication Design
▢ Other, Please specify. ________________________________________________
End of Block: Planning Integrated STEM lessons
Start of Block: Teaching Integrated STEM lessons
Intro Teaching integrated STEM lessons can vary according to the STEM program implemented
in your school. Please share your experiences.
Page 15 of 27
Q15 Primary school curriculum has a history of teaching inquiry and numeracy.
How confident do you feel about planning and teaching the following in the primary year levels?
▼ Not at all Confident (1) ... Very confident

Engineering concepts (1)
(5)
Digital Technology (2)
(5)
Design and Technology (4)
(5)
Integrated STEM subjects under one activity ▼ Not at all Confident (1) ... Very confident
(5) (5)
Q16 I enjoy teaching STEM very much.
o Strongly disagree
o Disagree
o Neutral
o Agree
o Strongly agree
Page 16 of 27
Q17 Teaching STEM requires focus on Engineering. How do you teach engineering component
in your STEM lessons?
o I prefer creating design led STEM activities where children design a solution to a
problem using science, mathematics and technology.
o I prefer focusing on hands on science activities with an element of mathematics,

technology or other learning areas.
o I create real world challenge tasks to teach engineering component.

o I only prefer focusing on Science, Mathematics and Technologies learning areas in my
STEM lessons.
o Other method, Please explain.

________________________________________________
Q18 I feel nervous while teaching Technology learning areas.
o Strongly agree
o Agree
o Neutral
o Disagree
o Strongly disagree
Page 17 of 27
Q19 Please select one or more ways of locating teaching resources for your STEM lessons.
▢ I actively search for resources through social media teacher groups. For example,
Facebook teacher groups, Instagram etc.
▢ I actively search the Web for paid sites offering STEM resources.
▢ I rely on my network of peers.
▢ I rely on reliable repositories of resources provided by the Department of Education and

Training.
▢ Other, Please explain. ________________________________________________
Q20 Please rank these methods from the most preferred to the least in your STEM teaching
activities
______ Traditional direct Instruction (where lessons are focused on the delivery of content by
the teacher)
______ Problem Solving Method (where students come up with their solutions to the problem)
______ Project Based Learning (where students find the solutions based on the specified
requirements of the project)
______ Structured Inquiry method (where students carry out their scientific investigations)
______ Engineering design thinking (where students follow the cyclic process of designing the
solution)
______ Other, Please explain.
Page 18 of 27
Q21 I think that male primary school teachers experience more enjoyment in teaching STEM
than female teachers.
o Strongly disagree (8)

o Disagree (9)
o Neutral (10)
o Agree (11)
o Strongly agree (12)
Page 19 of 27
Q22 My sequence of teaching integrated STEM lessons matches with one or more of the
following ways:
▢ I follow a two-step process by first teaching content of learning areas in regular sessions.
Then, combining the concepts from different learning areas into one thematic unit. (1)
▢ I follow a two-step process by first teaching the content of learning areas in regular
sessions. Then, integrating the concepts from different learning areas into one thematic unit.
(3)
▢ I teach STEM in one stand-alone activity or project where students learn and apply
integrated concepts of Science, Mathematics, Technology, Engineering, Arts or other
learning areas of the curriculum. (4)
▢
▢ I teach STEM in one design activity or project where students learn and apply integrated
concepts from Science, Mathematics, Technology and Engineering or Arts through
designing a solution to the problem. (5)
Page 20 of 27
▢ Other, Please specify. (6) ________________________________________________
Q23 I believe that STEM education must be anchored in primary education as early as possible.
o Strongly disagree (1)

o Disagree (2)
o Neutral (3)
o Agree (4)
o Strongly Disagree (5)
Q24 Teaching STEM requires support to make it successful. Please reflect on the level of
satisfaction with the following support factors present in your school.
The guidance of a STEM expert in my school.

▼ Not at All Present (1) ... Very Satisfied (7)
(1)
The ongoing professional learning/training in
STEM provided by school. (2)
The sufficient funds to purchase STEM based
online resources. (6)
Administration support to sustain long term
STEM projects. (10)
End of Block: Teaching Integrated STEM lessons
Page 21 of 27
Start of Block: Attitudes of General Primary teachers who do not teach STEM
Intro This section asks you about your perspectives on STEM education and teaching Science,
Technology and Mathematics subjects.
GP4 Please select one or more reasons for not teaching STEM:
▢ I do not teach STEM because of my non-STEM education background. (1)
▢ I do not teach STEM because my school does not have a STEM program. (2)
▢ I do not teach STEM because school leadership has not shown interest in integrating
STEM into general learning areas. (3)
▢ Other, Please explain. (4) ________________________________________________
GP5 How do you define STEM education?
________________________________________________________________
Page Break
Page 22 of 27
GP7 Primary education has a history of teaching science and mathematics. Where Technology
learning area has been recently introduced. This section asks you about your experience of
teaching these subjects. Please reflect on the following statements:
Science Mathematics Technology
I am confident to deal ▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree

with questions from (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree
students about: (14) (5) (5) (5)
I have enough ▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree
knowledge to teach (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree
these subjects: (5) (5) (5) (5)
▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree
I enjoy teaching (15) (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree
(5) (5) (5)
GP8 Teaching and planning Science, Mathematics and Technology lessons demand many
skills. The following question will assist in determining the level of anxiety you feel.
Neither
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
agree nor
disagree (1) disagree (2) agree (4) agree (5)
disagree (3)
I feel tense to
teach in the
Technology
learning
o o o o o
areas. (2)
I feel nervous
while
teaching
Mathematics.
o o o o o
(5)
I feel anxious
of the thought
of
implementing o o o o o
STEM in my
class. (6)
Teaching
Science
makes me o o o o o
nervous. (12)
Page 23 of 27
GP9 Please reflect on your experiences of teaching Science, Mathematics and Technology
subjects at primary year levels.
Science Mathematics Technology
The availability of
commercial
(1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree
resources is essential
(5) (5) (5)
to teaching (10)
It makes me happy
when I teach (19)
(5) (5) (5)
Teachers find it ▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree
complicated to teach (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree
the topics of (7) (5) (5) (5)
The support of my
colleagues and the ▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree ▼ Strongly Disagree
school is decisive for (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree (1 ... Strongly Agree
whether or not I will (5) (5) (5)
teach (16)
Most primary school
teachers find it
difficult to teach
(5) (5) (5)
topics concerning (6)
Page 24 of 27
GP10 Please select the degree of agreement or disagreement on the importance of STEM
education in primary schools.
Strongly Strongly
Disagree (2) Neutral (3) Agree (4)
disagree (1) Agree (5)
STEM
education
must be
anchored in
primary o o o o o
education as
early as
possible. (2)
I think that
STEM
education is
essential for
primary
school
o o o o o
children’s
development.
(7)
STEM
education is
so important
in the primary
school that
teachers
should
o o o o o
receive
ongoing
training in this
area. (10)
Page 25 of 27
GP11 Please rate the degree to which you think the following statements are true in terms of
gender roles in STEM context:
Strongly Strongly
Disagree (2) Neutral (3) Agree (4)
Disagree (1) Agree (5)
I think that
male primary
school
teachers
experience
more
enjoyment in o o o o o
teaching
STEM
subjects than
female
teachers. (1)
I think that
male primary
school
teachers can
do an
investigation
or technical o o o o o
assignment
with pupils
more easily
than female
teachers. (3)
Boys in
primary
schools are
more
enthusiastic
about
experimenting
o o o o o
with materials
and designing
solutions than
girls. (6)
I would
unconsciously
be more likely
to choose a
boy for a
STEM
o o o o o
subjects
demonstration
than a girl. (7)
Page 26 of 27
End of Block: Attitudes of General Primary teachers who do not teach STEM
Start of Block: Demographic information
Q25 Thanks for contributing to the survey. Please tell us a little about yourself.
▼ Less than 5 years (1) ... Click to enter text

Years of Primary teaching experience (6)
(7)
Please select your age range (4)
(7)
Please select your gender (7)
(7)
Please list your educational qualifications (10)
(7)
I am currently teaching in (13)
(7)
End This research includes a short follow up conversation to share your experiences in STEM
teaching. If you are willing to participate in a follow up telephone interview or video meet, please
provide your email address, Skype URL or Zoom meeting link.
o Yes. Please provide your email address. (2)

________________________________________________
o No${e://Field/Thanks%20for%20your%20time} (4)
Skip To: End of Survey If This research includes a short follow up conversation to share your experiences
in STEM teaching.... = Yes. Please provide your email address.
Skip To: End of Survey If This research includes a short follow up conversation to share your experiences
in STEM teaching.... = No${e://Field/Thanks%20for%20your%20time}
End of Block: Demographic information
Page 27 of 27

Survey Primary Teachers Attitudes Towards STEM Education

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Primary teachers attitudes towards

Start of Block: Block 1

Doctoral Candidate: Anita Sharma,

o I agree to participate in the survey

Start of Block: School-specific information in STEM teaching

o Early year levels (Foundation, Yr 1 & Yr 2)

Q2 Has a dedicated STEM program been introduced in your school?

Display This Question:

o Three or more times a week

Q4 Do you teach STEM as a stand-alone learning program in your class?

o Yes, I am a Science/STEM specialist who runs a stand-alone STEM program in all

o Yes, I am a generalist primary teacher who runs a stand-alone STEM program in my

▢ Long-term design or challenge-based projects target different learning areas, including

▢ Other programs, please briefly explain.

Display This Question:

▢ Humanities and Social Sciences

▢ Health and Physical Education

▢ Other, Please specify ________________________________________________

Display This Question:

▢ Integrating one or more STEM subjects within a learning area.

▢ Integrating all STEM subjects within a learning area.

▢ Other Method, Please

End of Block: School-specific information in STEM teaching

Start of Block: Planning Integrated STEM lessons

Q7 Most teachers find the meaning of integrated STEM confusing.

o My school doesn't have any resources.

▢ Number and Algebra

▢ Measurement and Geometry

▢ Statistics and Probability

▢ Science Inquiry skills

▢ Science as a human endeavour

▢ Earth and space sciences

▢ Engineering principles and systems

▢ Food and fibre production

▢ Materials and Technologies

▢ Creating designed solutions through the Engineering design process

Technology tools like MS word, Power point,

Display This Question:

▢ Visual Communication Design

▢ Other, Please specify. ________________________________________________

End of Block: Planning Integrated STEM lessons

Start of Block: Teaching Integrated STEM lessons

▼ Not at all Confident (1) ... Very confident

Q16 I enjoy teaching STEM very much.

o I prefer focusing on hands on science activities with an element of mathematics,

o I create real world challenge tasks to teach engineering component.

o Other method, Please explain.

Q18 I feel nervous while teaching Technology learning areas.

▢ I rely on my network of peers.

▢ I rely on reliable repositories of resources provided by the Department of Education and

▢ Other, Please explain. ________________________________________________

o Strongly disagree (8)

o Strongly disagree (1)

The guidance of a STEM expert in my school.

End of Block: Teaching Integrated STEM lessons

▢ I do not teach STEM because of my non-STEM education background. (1)

▢ Other, Please explain. (4) ________________________________________________

GP5 How do you define STEM education?