STEM in Early Care and Education. Goals Identify why it is important for young children to engage in...

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 julie.wagner@k12.wa.us 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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