STEM in Early Childhood EducationLow-cost age-appropriate activities to organize space days, health days, sustainability days, robotics and coding days.
Erasmus+ course summary
Many kindergarten teachers hesitate when hearing about science, technology, engineering, and math. Teachers' attitudes and perceptions toward STEM are affected by their motivation, experience, and self-efficacy. If they perceive STEM subjects as too hard, too boring, or too complicated, it is unlikely they will organize STEM activities for children in kindergarten. This course overcomes doubts about STEM in kindergartens. During the course, teachers build their self-efficacy for using STEM activities in their work with children. The course is practical and offers a series of low-cost age-appropriate activities to engage children in STEM topics. "STEM is not a class you teach. It is a culture you build." – Chris Woods
Session dates
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FeaturesRelated |
STEM in early childhood education is not explaining to children the laws of nature; it is guiding them to and through experiences.
Create opportunities for investigating, designing, making, modelling, testing, improving and explaining.
STEM weekIntegrate STEM activities into inspiring thematic periods.
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Growth mindsetCreate an environment where mistakes are welcomed.
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InquiryTeach inquiry skills through play.
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Course Content
PROGRAMME DAY-BY-DAY
Training usually takes place between 9:00 am and 14:00 pm, followed by after-class activities, that are optional.
DAY 1 We start off with an introductory meeting, an explanation of practical arrangements and a presentation of the participants and timetable. The participants are encouraged to express their expectations, needs and wishes regarding the content of the programme and learning methods. * Scientific skills day: measuring, hypothesizing, predicting, observing with five senses, comparing, asking questions. Age-appropriate activities for emerging scientific inquiry skills grouped into 2-3 years, and 4-6 years. Reflecting upon participants teaching practice with discovering which STEM activities they are already doing. DAY 2 Space day: gravity, spinning solar system, space shuttle, sundial, moon craters, astronauts centre. Lesson plans and educational resources for kindergartens. DAY 3 Health day: breathing simulation, hand sanitiser, growing brains, stethoscope, miracle potion, medical innovations. Lesson plans and educational resources for kindergartens. Half-day excursion. DAY 4 Sustainability day: warm farm, mini greenhouse, solar plant, homemade detergent, cubby house building, weather observation. Lesson plans and educational resources for kindergartens. Designing theme weeks and fostering international collaboration among kindergartens. DAY 5 Robotics and coding day: exploring robots, making a robot, coding games. Lesson plans and educational resources for kindergartens. DAY 6 Evaluation and farewell. Documentation and certificates of attendance. * Some changes in the programme are possible - the content of the course is always adapted to the participants previous knowledge, expectations and requirements. The participants receive the Informational Booklet a few weeks prior to the start of the course. |
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