Sarika has been a primary/secondary science, chemistry and mathematics teacher for 10 years in Melbourne, Australia. Her versatile experiences in PreK-12 contexts, previous Monash university research studies, affiliation with primary and secondary public and independent schools/preschools in Melbourne, including being a secondary school’s Head of Science Domain (2010-2014) guided her passion to complete her PhD studies at Monash university in 2017.

Sarika's current research projects involve conceptualising kindergarten and primary teachers' understanding of the nexus between creative STEM-based play and using technologies in their teaching practices and educational programs in ways that promote children's learning and development. Through her research, Sarika provides exemplars of evidence-based practices to meaningfully integrate technologies (e.g. Robotics/IoToys/Artificially Intelligent toys) in developmentally appropriate ways to progress for example vulnerable children’s persistence on tasks, problem solving and resilience building skills. Exploring parental engagement in young children's safe use of technologies for edutainment and STEM learning experiences is Sarika’s other area of expertise. Sarika’s recent research investigates how children with additional diverse needs (e.g. EAL, language delays, ADHD) can be supported with social-emotional development using inclusive STEM and robotics-play practices.        

Sarika is the Co-convenor of European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) SIG 'Digital Childhoods, STEM and Multimodality' where she established and leads the STEM workstream. She has built a strong international presence through her international collaborations by being an active member of EECERA, European Science Education Research Association (ESERA), Australian Science Education Research Association (ASERA). 

Sarika has recently designed an evidence-based Monash short course (available online) for 'Enabling STEM-based Play in Early Childhood'. This course is suitable for educators who are seeking to upscale and upskill their knowledge and understandings to promote children’s (including children with diverse needs) problem solving and resilience building through STEM-based play.  For more info please visit https://www.monash.edu/education/professional-continuing-education/early-childhood/coding-and-robotics-in-early-childhood-education

Sarika also offers customised PD programs/webinars for EC educators focusing on best international STEM-based practices, for example to promote children's design play and inquiry thinking processes. You can follow Sarika on her facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stemirific/ and Twitter handles @sararamani77 and LinkedIn to see glimpses of her teaching and research activities. 

EDF 1061 - Working in education: An introduction to the profession (Unit Coordinator Clayton and Peninsula)

EDF1062 - Approaches to teaching and learning (Unit Coordinator Clayton and Peninsula)

EDF 5774 - Building STEM learning communities in early childhood (Chief Examiner - Monash and Singapore campuses)

EDF 5850 - Early childhood and Primary science (Chief Examiner)