This article is sponsored by Brisbane Grammar School
At the heart of Brisbane Grammar School (BGS)’s approach is the belief that education should not be siloed. Instead, it should foster the sharing of ideas across subjects, encouraging students to collaborate, innovate and solve complex challenges.
“The introduction of STEAM learning represents a progressive shift in teaching and learning, promoting the sharing of ideas across subjects,” says headmaster Anthony Micallef. “For educators, there is now a greater need for STEM concepts to integrate with subjects across the wider curriculum.”
And he adds that students at the Queensland boys’ school are being prepared for what the modern economy demands. “We know this because business and industry broadcast that future-ready employees need to have multiple areas of expertise or at least appreciate how a range of skills fit together.”
Future-focused facility
The school’s STEAM Precinct is more than just a state-of-the-art resource; it is a hub of creativity and collaboration. The curriculum is brought to life through initiatives such as Interdisciplinary Innovation Summits, where students work together across disciplines to tackle real-world problems, apply design thinking and engage in authentic, hands-on learning experiences. These opportunities empower students to take ownership of their learning, think critically and implement their skills in meaningful ways.
Steve Uscinski, deputy headmaster of teaching and learning, highlights the unique value of combining the arts with the traditional STEM framework. “By incorporating art, human concepts of ethics, morality and responsibility are introduced into technical discussions and thinking. The outcome is graduates who are prepared for uncertainty and confident to lead others through change.”
The technology-rich spaces of the STEAM Precinct are designed to foster adaptive expertise, equipping students to collaborate effectively and apply their knowledge in new and unexpected ways.
The design of the STEAM Precinct and intentional pedagogical practice encourage openness, discussion, questioning, conversation and research while providing the best possible facility for the teaching and learning of STEAM disciplines.
“It encourages collegiality and the sharing of skills and insights across disciplines and creates an exciting, challenging and dynamic environment in which to teach, explore and learn,” says Tanya Neilsen, director of STEAM Education.
The school leadership team’s collective commitment ensures the STEAM program is not only about advanced facilities but also focuses on empowering teachers, fostering student agency and cultivating the adaptive expertise needed for an unpredictable future.
Ultimately, the message is clear: BGS’s STEAM Precinct and its integrated approach to teaching and learning provide students with unparalleled opportunities to learn, collaborate, explore and innovate in a state-of-the-art environment – preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
For more information, go to brisbanegrammar.com.