Thank you to everyone who came along to our Early Years ‘STEM Learning’ Showcase last week. I think the photos below show how much fun the children, families and teachers appeared to be having as they played, talked and learned together, exploring the wide range of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths activities on offer.
We hope that the next time you see or hear the phrase ‘STEM’ you will think back to this event, confident in the knowledge of what it means, and also in knowing that, here at Provo Primary, your child is supported and fully encouraged to explore this through their everyday problem-solving and exploratory play.
What is STEM?
More and more, the acronym ‘STEM’ is becoming a ‘buzz’ word in the world of education. You may have seen it written on packaging on toys you have bought for your child or quoted in advertisements. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths education (and sometimes STEAM – including the Arts).
Tell me more about the subjects that make up STEM…
Science is a way of thinking. Through experiments children learn basic science skills like observing what is happening, communicating what they notice and repeating the action to compare results.
Technology includes any tool that helps make a task easier. Different types of technology go far beyond computers and smart phones! In the Early Years, Technology refers to using tools to develop fine and gross motor skills. Tools can help develop eye-hand coordination and strengthen their hand and finger muscles.
Engineering is all about practical problem solving with innovation and construction. Playing with building materials develops Maths and Science skills, helping children learn about gravity, balance, shapes and problem solving.
Mathematics is at the heart of Science, Technology and Engineering. Through play with blocks, colours and shapes children begin to learn many concepts, such as counting, patterning, comparing and classifying.
Many elements of STEM learning also go on to be incorporated into the subject Design and Technology taught in Years 1-6.
So why is STEM such a ‘buzz’ word?
Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. Occupations in STEM-related careers are some of the fastest growing of the 21st century, and they often have the greatest potential for job growth. Nations around the world are recognising this and thus there is an increasing level of importance being given to these subjects in schools. Building a solid STEM foundation through a well-rounded curriculum is the best way to ensure that children are exposed to Maths, Science, and Technology throughout their educational career. Children are extremely curious and impressionable, so instilling an interest at an early age could spark a lasting desire to pursue a career in any of these fields.
So is STEM something totally new to Provo Primary?
More than simply teaching these subjects in isolation, STEM education is about integrating knowledge across the subjects, encouraging children to think in a more connected cross-curricular and holistic way. STEM taps into children’s natural and innate curiosity about the living world, encouraging them to ask questions about the real world around them and to be active participants in their own learning. It is driven by problem-solving, discovery and exploratory learning, with children actively engaged in a situation in order to find its solution.
In a nutshell, STEM promotes the hands-on, topic-based, real-life learning that we feel has always been very much at the heart of teaching and learning here at Provo Primary – especially in our Early Years. However, with continuous advances in technology, and as educational and brain research tells us more about how children learn best, we continue to develop and enhance our programme to offer the best it can for all of our children.
How can you help support STEM learning at home?
Young children are innately curious and eager to explore their environments and learn about a wide variety of causes and effects. Simply providing and allowing for opportunities for exploration is all it takes, inside and out, at home or in the community.
As you play alongside your child, observe what they are doing. Try not to jump in with suggestions on how to solve a problem when they arise, but instead ask very open-ended questions. Try focusing on “what” questions as much as possible and try to ask “why” questions as little as possible. Asking “why” questions often implies that there is a correct answer while “what” questions keeps the conversation going and lets you discover answers right along with your children. “What” questions draw attention to what’s happening, what’s being noticed, or what you’re doing. When answers come easily to your children, their confidence grows, with them feeling as if they can answer as experts! Additionally, asking insightful “what” questions help children develop important observation and communication skills. “What do you think will happen if we _______?” is a great question for helping kids who are struggling with something they are making or with an experiment. This question requires that you observe what the students are working on and that you determine why it is not working.
In addition, rather than telling children how to fix a problem, you can ask them to focus on something that will lead them toward discovering the answer. By focusing their attention on the point of the problem, you will not only be helping children learn how to focus on details, but you will also lead them toward answering their own questions and solving their own problems – which is much more empowering than being told the answer!
Exploring STEM learning in our Early Years classes…
Our Early Years children experience and practise STEM activities every day. Here are some of the activities that were shared at our Showcase:
In Toddlers:
Science – What will you discover outdoors with your binoculars? Bring something back to the class to touch and feel.
Technology – Pour water in and out of a variety of plastic bottles.
Engineering – Can you make a tower with blocks? How high will it go before it topples over?
Mathematics – Interact with our number role play centres.
In Preschool:
Science – What will you discover outdoors with a magnifying glass? What textures can you find by rubbing with crayons?
Technology – What will happen if the tools are different sizes and shapes? Will they affect how you scoop and pour lentils, beans and rice?
Engineering – What can you make using recyclable boxes and tubes?
Maths – Can you match the shapes to the ones on a quilt?
In Junior Kindergarten:
Science – What will you discover when you add different liquids to baking soda? What will happen when we add water to different flours?
Technology – Use calculators to explore how a machine can work and play a little game of pick the number! Explore coloured cellophane and the torch in a darkened box.
Engineering – How far can you make a marble travel by adding structures ramps and pathways to the basic marble game.
Mathematics – What images can you create on squared paper? Measure how long your shoe is using large Lego blocks and log your answer on the chart.
In Kindergarten:
Science – What can you discover when you go outside in the sunshine with a bowl of water and a mirror? What happens when you mix baking soda, vinegar and a few drops of red and orange food colouring together in your very own volcano? What happens to an orange in a bowl of water? Can you make it float and then sink?
Technology – What is a Bee-bot? What is a Roamer? What do you have to do to make the Bee-bot and the Roamer move in different directions?
Engineering – What 3D shapes can you build with marshmallows and toothpicks? Can you build a dinosaur with 3D shapes?
Mathematics – What is number to you? Why are numbers important?