Despite recognition as a critical school readiness domain, science education in early childhood is largely absent. This is unfortunate as science has the power to engage early childhood educators and all young children in hands-on, minds-on, fun and engaging experiences that increase the quality of teaching as well as provide young children with critical problem-solving skills and improved learning in multiple domains. Drs. Greenfield & Sharifnia will provide a brief overview of a research-based embedded professional learning system, the Early Science Initiative, that uses their Early Science Framework (directly linked with the Framework for K-12 Science Education) to promote equitable learning opportunities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Connected experiences using the Early Science Framework will be illustrated by teachers participating in the Early Science Initiative.
Presenters: Daryl Greenfield & Elicia Sharifnia
Babies begin to learn STEM concepts as soon as they are born, simply by exploring their world through their senses. Families and care-givers can foster this by encouraging an early sense of wonder and discovery. The experiences, interactions and environments that we provide for babies lay a foundation for future language, learning, and interactions. This presentation will break down early vision, hearing, touch, movement, balance, taste and smell to show families how all babies can learn to be little scientists before they even take that first step.
Presenter: Aimee Ketchum
STEM learning opportunities are everywhere! Join our session to talk about ways to use a 6-step STEM framework to use interest-based learning opportunities for infants and toddlers to learn STEM content. We will illustrate EI practitioners applying the framework and show how they incorporate STEM learning opportunities into EI sessions and use ideas for adapting and modifying the environment, materials, and instruction.
Presenter: Pip Campbell
This presentation focuses on practical approaches to designing environments to promote access and opportunity for young children with disabilities in STEM learning. Participants will discover ways to analyze curriculum, transform the physical environment, adapt and choose materials, and embed supports that help early childhood educators deepen children’s exploration of STEM concepts.
Presenter: Yvette Mere-Cook
Who, what, where, when, why, and how can engineering be done with young children? This session answers these questions as it explores what engineering looks like in preschool settings. Video of children engaged in engineering activity brings these concepts to life.
Presenter: Christine Cunningham
Roll up your sleeves and get STEMMY with early childhood educators as they discuss how they infuse STEM learning into virtual playgroups for 0 - 3’s!
Presenters: Christy Parrish & Stephanie Wishart
Outdoor play and learning activities support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) basic notions by offering all children the opportunity to interact with highly diverse natural settings. Children with different learning styles and abilities learn through whole body moments, sensory explorations, and hands-on experiences when they spend time outdoors. Diverse natural settings show seasonal changes and support countless living creatures (birds, beneficial insects, small mammals) that stimulate curiosity, engagement, and learning. The presentation will explain why play and learning outdoors is important, show best practice approaches and examples of engaging outdoor STEM activities, and resources to create and manage successful outdoor learning environments.
Presenter: Nilda Cosco
This session will provide practical strategies for supporting the inclusion of young children with disabilities in early STEM experiences at home and in early learning programs. We will engage participants in activities that provide opportunities to practice implementing effective supports and services to engage all young children in STEM, especially children with disabilities.
Presenters: Chih-Ing Lim & Megan Vinh