stem in early care and education. goals identify why it is important for young children to engage in...
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STEM in Early Care and Education
Goals• Identify why it is important for
young children to engage in STEM
• Examine how young children learn STEM concepts
• Consider recommended tools when creating STEM activities
What is STEM?According to Dr. Sherri Killins, National Leader, BUILD Early Learning Systems
“What STEM does is give a label to what you are already doing… helping children to explore, observe, ask questions, predict, integrate their learning… it’s what we’ve always done in early childhood education.”
Goal #1: Why is STEM important?
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math S.T.E.M. is Everywhere –
Why is STEM important?• It builds on children’s natural curiosity
• As children grow they need skills in STEM for success in school and work. Early success in science and math leads to lifelong confidence in these areas.
• State, national & global focus on STEM related jobs
• STEM is a statewide initiative for a first class education system
• Young children enjoy STEM!
STEM skills are critical for solving problems…
1. Asking questions and defining problems
2. Developing and using models
STEM helps children with…
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using mathematical & computational thinking
More STEM Skills…
6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions 7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information
What is preschool STEM?Science• Observing and exploring, using senses
Technology• Tools, devices, any equipment to do the job
Engineering• Building, constructing, putting together and
taking apart
Mathematics• Patterns, numbers, size, shape, comparisons
Guiding Principles for STEM– Children are born
investigators – Understanding builds
over time – Science and Engineering
require both knowledge and practice
– Connecting to students’ interests and experiences is essential
– Promoting equity
Kids' Potential, Our Purpose
Teaching Preschool STEM• Do children explore at your site?• Do they engage in ongoing explorations?• Do you support and encourage curiosity?• Do you offer information to build upon?• Do you provide opportunities for all?
Goal #2: How do children learn STEM concepts?
Dr. Katz says STEM takes place through natural interaction with real things in the child’s environment.• Dr. Lillian Katz- professor, author and past president of National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Kids' Potential, Our Purpose
Hands on Learning!
What preschool STEM is NOT!
A class period or section• Not included throughout the day
A separate subject area• Drills and memorization
Does not spark curiosity• Fill in the blank handouts, no interaction
No exploration• Sitting and listening, no hands on learning
How do you teach preschool S.T.E.M.?
Units, themes, learning centers• Project based, inter-related activities
Collaboration, open-ended exploration• Authentic learning
Problem Solving and Persisting• Using inquiry to solve problems
Child Driven• Asking questions and finding answers
Learning about STEM through Active Play
Spending time outside in gross motor activities helps children to learn about science and nature while moving and keeping healthy. Take them outside to learn STEM!
Learn about Governor’s ‘The Healthiest Next Generation Initiative’ http://www.governor.wa.gov/documents/KidsHealth2014.pdf
Learning about STEM through Nutrition
Learning about nutrition, gardening, and cooking healthy foods prepares children for a lifetime of good eating habits and better health. This is STEM!
How Concepts Are AcquiredNaturalistic Experiences are initiated by children in their natural environment.
Informal Learning Experiences build off a child’s curiosity and interests, but are initiated by adults. These are not pre-planned activities.
Adult-Guided Experiences are planned by the adult and focused on direct instruction.Charlesworth & Lind (2013) 7th Ed. Math and Science for Young Children; Illinois; Wadsworth Cengage Learning
Adapted by Katrina L. Jones from Chalufour, I., & Worth, K. (2005). Young Scientist Series
Adapted by Katrina L. Jones from Chalufour, I., & Worth, K. (2005). Young
Scientist Series
Scientific Inquiry with Paint!
Kids' Potential, Our Purpose
STEM involves Asking Questions
Questions to Extend Learning
• Extend children’s learning by asking natural, open-ended questions while they play and investigate.
• Talk about their brains and thinking• Wait…and give children time to think• “I wonder what will happen if….what do you think?”• Encourage them to talk out loud and wonder
Question Tips
Observe first!Give a signal that you have a question, like tapping your head.Ask an open ended thinking questionExpect unique, individualized answers, not just one ‘right’ answer-may gesture, non-verbal okBuild on prior learningExtend the learning with more ideasPowerful Interactions by Dublo, Jablon, Stetson
Question Starters
What do you notice about that ______?
What did you see while you were ________?
What does it ______ like? (taste, feel, smell)
What does it remind you of? Why?
Question StartersHow is it different from ______?
How did you decide that?
What do you think will happen? (prediction)
Why do you think that happened?
Which part is your favorite? Why?Powerful Interactions by Dublo, Jablon, Stetson
Goal #3 Developing STEM ActivitiesBooks Support STEM
Washington State Early Learning & Development Guidelines
OSPI Learning Pathways in Numeracy:
Addressing Early Numeracy Skills• Counting and Cardinality• Number and Operations in Base
Ten/Fractions• Operations and Algebraic Thinking• Measurement and Data• Geometryhttp://www.k12.wa.us/WaKIDS/pubdocs/LearningPathwaysInNumeracy.pdf2014. Developed by Julie Wagner in coordination with the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Department at the Office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). If you have questions, please contact Julie at [email protected] or by calling 360-725-6235.
Environment Rating Scale (ERS)Scale used to verify quality in early
learning settingsOne area: Blocks
ERS: Nature/Science
ERS: Math and Activities
• How is math drawn into the lives and activities of children (not just about having materials)?
ERS: Math in Daily Events
• Understand how staff introduce numbers to children in a meaningful way.
ERS: Math-Understanding Written Numbers
• Math is not just about access to materials, but instead about how staff use and teach with the materials in a way that engages children.
Classroom Assessment Scoring System(CLASS) Dimensions
•Instructional Learning Formats•Concept Development
CLASSInstructional Learning Formats
• Effective Facilitation—providing materials and asking questions, building on their learning
• Variety of Modality and Materials-lots to choose from, multiple hands on activities
• Student Interest—are the children engaged?• Clarity of Learning Objectives—are you
intentional in your plans and goals for STEM?
Kids' Potential, Our Purpose
CLASSConcept Development
• Analysis and Reasoning--questions, predictions, classification, evaluation
• Creating—new ideas!• Integration—connect with what the child
already knows and is familiar with• Connections to the Real World—make it
relevant to their lives
Kids' Potential, Our Purpose
Let’s watch a 5 minute video with children doing STEM explorations.
STEM Kitsfor toddlers and preschoolers
Includes Multiple Learning Areas
Small Groups: Share what you plan to do
• What materials in your classroom or activities can you use to increase understanding in…
• Science?• Technology?• Engineering?• Mathematics?
In Summary, STEM is:
ResourcesEarly Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ERS):http://ers.fpg.unc.edu/ The CLASS Systemhttp://teachstone.com/the-class-system/ The Healthiest Next Generation Initiativehttp://www.governor.wa.gov/documents/KidsHealth2014.pdf
ResourcesPowerful Interactions: how to connect with children to extend their learning; Dumbro, Jablon, Stetson (2011) NAEYC
Math and Science for Young Children; Charlesworth & Lind (2013) 7th Ed. Illinois: Wadsworth Cengage
Teach Preschool: Promoting Excellence in Early Childhood Education: http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/06/stem/
ResourcesWashington State Early Learning and Development Guidelineshttp://www.del.wa.gov/publications/development/docs/guidelines.pdf WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) STEM Lessons AND Pathways in Numeracy http://www.k12.wa.us/EarlyLearning/STEMLessons.aspx http://www.k12.wa.us/WaKIDS/pubdocs/LearningPathwaysInNumeracy.pdf
THANK YOUQuestions?
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