Steve Murphy

Steve Murphy is a lecturer and researcher in STEM education at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga campus. Steve came to educational research after an extensive career as a STEM educator and educational leader. He has worked in primary and secondary schools, and government and independent schools, in a variety of capacities including curriculum leadership, welfare and principal roles. He now researches effective STEM education in early childhood, primary and secondary educational contexts. Steve explores the impact of the practices of educators and educational leaders on the development of student abilities and attitudes in STEM.

Steve teaches a range of general education and curriculum methods subjects including:

• STEM education
• Science and Technology
• Mathematics
• Digital Technologies
• Assessment and Reporting
• Classroom Management

Steve’s PhD research is focused on identifying and studying the practices of rural schools achieving success in STEM education. He has explored patterns of participation and achievement in STEM using data drawn from schools in differing locations and serving communities of varying socio-economic status.  This analysis facilitated the identification of rural schools that are high performing in STEM for case study in order to identify practices that may contribute to STEM success in rural schools. He is involved in a national ARC DECRA project led by Amy MacDonald, investigating mathematics education for children aged under three years. Steve has also worked with Amy MacDonald and Lena Danaia as part of the STEM Able team, on the development of a conceptual framework for effective STEM education from early childhood through to senior secondary education. The team is using this model to guide a range of research projects, as well as as a basis for a book of research about STEM education across the learning trajectory, and for a STEM education textbook for pre-service primary school teachers.

Previously, Steve has participated in and led a variety of investigations within the Victorian Department of Education, resulting in departmental reports and publication in professional journals. He led an action research project to improve the use of feedback at Broadford Secondary College. He was a member of a State-wide expert panel convened to examine best practice for supporting students transitioning from primary to secondary school in response to a Victorian Auditor General’s Office report. Steve was also an investigator and author of a report into literacy and numeracy practices in primary and secondary schools in North East Victoria.

• Mathematical Education Research Group Australasia
• Victorian Institute of Teaching

2019

• School of Education Research Grant ($1000)
• Nominee, Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) Early Career Award

2018

• Nominee, Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) Early Career Award
• Achievement of Outstanding Student Feedback on the Subject Experience Survey in EEA202

201830

• AI Assessment and Reporting
• 3 Minute Thesis finalist: Charles Sturt University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgLGtv21nIo

2017

• Achievement of Outstanding Student Feedback on the Subject Experience Survey in EEE314

201760

• AI Assessment and Reporting

https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/persons/steve-murphy