Donna King

Donna King is the National Head of the School of Education at Australian Catholic University (ACU), within the Faculty of Education and Arts. Her research focuses on STEM education, science pedagogy, and emotional dynamics in classroom settings. She has led initiatives such as the STEMROD project, fostering collaboration between schools, industries, and pre-service teachers to develop STEM resources. Her work emphasizes integrating mindfulness practices and context-based learning to enhance student engagement and emotional wellbeing.

King’s research spans teacher education strategies, emotional management in classrooms, and the design of interdisciplinary STEM curricula. She has collaborated extensively with institutions like Queensland University of Technology and the Department of Education and Training, emphasizing real-world applications and partnerships to improve educational outcomes. Key contributions include studies on gifted education in Ghana, role-play in science classrooms, and frameworks for school-industry collaboration.

• Research Themes: STEM integration, emotional climate in education, teacher professional development.
• Notable Projects: STEMROD, investigations into mindfulness in science education, and studies on frustration management.

Her publications highlight innovative approaches to teaching science and engineering concepts, including earthquake-resistant building design and optical instrument construction. She advocates for context-based learning that bridges classroom content with societal relevance.