SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS 

 This department was designed in  response to a nationwide need for support  in  education in  South Africa. ORT SA is committed to contributing, to this cause by focusing on training and support for teachers  in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and leadership of School Management Teams.

PROGRAMMES OFFERED BY STEM ACADEMY:

1.ORT MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE & ICT  IN PRIMARY & HIGH SCHOOLS /TEACHERS

2.LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMES IN PRIMARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS  /TEACHERS, SMTs, SGB, SRC

3.ROBOTICS & CODING EXTRA CURRICULLAR /PUPILS, TEACHERS

4.TEACHERS’ SEMINARS IN STEM EDUCATION /TEACHERS, SMT

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1. ORT SA MATH,SCIENCE AND ICT IN PRIMARY & HIGH SCHOOLS/TEACHERS

Aim

Improve teaching and learning of STEM subjects

How

• ORT’S facilitators are highly qualified and skilled individuals
• Math / science/ technology tailor- made courses
• A year programme with each grade teacher is recommended
• Weekly/ monthly workshops
• Coaching , mentoring and classroom-based support
• Continuous assessment to tailor make the training to gaps identified
• Using best proven international approaches such as Singapore Math and Cisco
  • All courses are endorsed by SACE and provide CPD Points for teachers
  • One year programme per grade but short courses can be offered upon demand

2. LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMES IN PRIMARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS/ TEACHERS, SMTs, SGB, SRC

Aim

• Equip School Management Teams with skills and strategies to develop their competency and academic performance levels and improving school functionality and performance.

How

• ORT conducts a Needs Analysis at the school based on the Whole School Evolution 9 focus areas
• Programme is designed base on priorities set and includes: training in: School financial management , staff discipline, school leadership and governance
• Coaching and mentoring of all key stakeholders such as SMTs, SGB, SRC
  • All leadership courses are endorsed by SACE
  • Short courses and 1-2 years programme upon demand

3. ROBOTICS & CODING EXTRA CURRICULLAR /PUPILS, TEACHERS

Aim

Bringing robotics technology to pupils in disadvantaged communities can have a profound impact at every grade level. Robotics helps develop problem-solving skills as it fosters pupil’s’ ability to design and engineer  independently. It also motivates pupils to study STEM subjects  and to choose careers in Science, Engineering and Technology

How

• Robotics will introduce learners to knowledge, concepts, and skills that are needed for understanding the intelligent information-based technology of the future.
• The use of Technology for learning and development is done through the use of Lego We Do (6 years and up) and EV3 Robotics kits. The children use the kits to design and build robots which besides developing critical thinking, encourage fine motor skills development as well as hand eye co-ordination and auditory listening skills.
  • Seminars for teachers
  • Extra curricular for children on a weekly basis

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4. TEACHERS’ SEMINARS IN STEM EDUCATION /TEACHERS, SMT

Aim

To provide state of the art  seminars to teachers from primary to high schools that specialises in STEM subject

How

• A one week seminar offers intense learning in an academic and practical manner
• Teachers can aspire to complete a series of seminars to become:

1. Master ICT Coordinator
2. .Master Coding Curriculum Adviser
3. Master Math / Science Teacher
4. Master Math specialises in Singapore Math

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ORT STEM IMPACT

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ANNUAL NATIONAL ASSESSMENTS (ANA)

When comparing the 2013 Ivory Park Grade 1 and 4 ANA math results(prior to the ORT SA intervention), with the 2014 results (after the ORT SA intervention), one can see a 75% increase in the maths results of some classes, and an overall increase of 42% in the schools where ORT SA facilitated.

ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (ACE)- UNISA

• Since 2006, 152 teachers completed a qualification in ACE Math, Science or Technology.
• 91% pass rate with 86 distinctions

In 2015, thirteen students wrote a total of 35 modules among them ( 3 modules or 2 modules per person) and received 13 distinctions  and a 100% pass rate

SECOND CHANCE SUCCESS

In 2015, 47 students re-wrote matric maths and science with ORT and achieved a 89% pass rate.

50% of students received a university pass

Overall results were increased by 27%

	Students learning to identify and understand the value of our currency
Ekukanisweni Grade 2 Pupil participating in a Maths class	Students enjoying the end of year Teachers Empowerment Division party 2014
18 year old matric student Arnold demonstrating his improved maths skills. Arnold is a part of the 2nd Chance programme	Matric students from the 2nd Chance programme
The matric Science students from the 2nd Chance programme getting to see first hand the workings of Adcock Ingram	Getting to see the production line
Witnessing the various machines that produce the products en masse	2nd Chance matric students
Kevin Handelsman, Bidvest with Palesa Segoai	2nd Chance matric students
Students from the 2nd Chance programme singing a song of gratitude to ORT SA for all that they had learnt and gained from the programme	The Beverley Katz World ORT ITC Seminar 2015 held at King David Primary School Linksfield.
Ariellah Rosenberg, CEO ORT SA with the World ORT seminar presentors	2nd Chance group at their farewell party with packs wishing them good luck for their upcoming exams