In 2022, a small number of schools that already have NESA endorsement to deliver the previous school developed board endorsed course (SDBEC) version of iSTEM will be able to continue delivering this course to allow the Year 10 cohort to complete the course. Students completing the requirements of this course will have iSTEM recorded on their RoSA.

Schools that do not have NESA endorsement for iSTEM in 2022 may reside in one of two groups:

1. Schools which had NESA endorsement in 2021 for a Year 9 cohort should check the advice from NESA to record completion of 100 hours for student RoSAs.
2. Schools which did not have NESA endorsement for iSTEM in 2021 would not have been able to offer the SDBEC iSTEM course.

Both groups of schools planning to deliver iSTEM in 2022 will need to deliver the new department approved elective iSTEM course.

From 2022, all NSW Department of Education schools have the opportunity to deliver the new department approved elective iSTEM course. This course does not require schools to obtain NESA endorsement. A registration process will be available for schools to use from 2023. Information for schools implementing this course, including course documents and sample scope and sequences, can be located on the Stage 5 department approved elective webpage. Additional curriculum resources are currently being developed and will be added to this site as they are completed.

Additional curriculum support for teachers focussing on content and teaching strategies will be available through the Secondary STEM Statewide Staffroom. Support for the implementation of this or other department approved electives will be available through the Teaching and Learning 7-12 Statewide Staffroom.