An initiative of the ME Program, Maitland Grossmann High School (MGHS) and industry, iSTEM is a Stage 5 (Year 9 & 10) school developed, board endorsed course (SDBEC) which aims to contextualise curriculum content using problem based learning activities. It is unique in the fact that it was developed in consultation with local manufacturing industries and integrates the often separately taught components of STEM. The curriculum was first endorsed by the BOSTES in 2014. A number of school’s have indicated their desire to run the course in 2016/2017 and the following are directions that need to be followed to have your school included in the group endorsement.

 Step 1: Read the iSTEM SDBEC course document and negotiate with your Principal if you have the resources and structures available for the course to run in your school.

Step 2: Get your Principal to email Rick Evans ME Program Director on behalf of Maitland Grossmann High School requesting that your school to be added to the list of schools endorsed to run the iSTEM SDBEC. rick.evans@rdahunter.org.au

Dr Sleap will forward your email to Dr Di Soltau, Principal of Maitland Grossmann High School who will in turn give her permission for your school to be endorsed.

 Note: When there are multiple schools asking for endorsement, BOSTES has requested that we send them as an amalgamated list. This means there is sometimes a slight delay in the endorsement process.

Step 3: Dr Sleap will then forward the request for endorsement to Karen Ingram from BOSTES and he will email the school once the endorsement has been confirmed.

Note: You do not need to request for endorsement each year.

If you have any queries related to the endorsement process please do not hesitate to contact Rick Evans rick.evans@rdahunter.org.au