Designing, Tinkering, Discovering: STEM Education for Children Birth to Age 5
(.5 CEU)
“Science makes people reach selflessly for truth and objectivity; it teaches people to accept reality, with wonder and admiration, not to mention the deep awe and joy that the natural order of things brings to the true scientist.” ~ Lise Meitner, Physicist
The acronym STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) has become a buzz word in education. Parents and educators are enthusiastic about the prospect of teaching children to think like scientists, engineers, and mathematicians, and early childhood education is no exception. Children use STEM skills from birth as they make sense of and react to the world around them, and teachers of young children can help children develop critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning skills that they will need from a young age. It is becoming increasingly clear that the world will present problems to children that haven’t been invented yet, and that today’s children will be tomorrow’s adults who need these critical skills to move through the world successfully.
In this training, educators of children aged birth to five years old will explore the need for robust STEM early education, understand what cognitive skills children are developing in STEM curricula, and work to apply their new understandings to their work in their classrooms in engaging and developmentally appropriate ways.
The acronym STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) has become a buzz word in education. Parents and educators are enthusiastic about the prospect of teaching children to think like scientists, engineers, and mathematicians, and early childhood education is no exception. Children use STEM skills from birth as they make sense of and react to the world around them, and teachers of young children can help children develop critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning skills that they will need from a young age. It is becoming increasingly clear that the world will present problems to children that haven’t been invented yet, and that today’s children will be tomorrow’s adults who need these critical skills to move through the world successfully.
In this training, educators of children aged birth to five years old will explore the need for robust STEM early education, understand what cognitive skills children are developing in STEM curricula, and work to apply their new understandings to their work in their classrooms in engaging and developmentally appropriate ways.
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Learning Objectives
After completing this course, participants should be able to:
Describe the importance of STEM concepts for young children. (B: comprehension)
Review and identify EEC guidelines for STEM learning experiences. (B: comprehension)
Utilize state and national resources for STEM curriculum design. (B: application)
Design a STEM lesson plan and discuss ways to include engineering activities across the curriculum, such as learning centers and literacy activities. (B: synthesis)
Describe the importance of STEM concepts for young children. (B: comprehension)
Review and identify EEC guidelines for STEM learning experiences. (B: comprehension)
Utilize state and national resources for STEM curriculum design. (B: application)
Design a STEM lesson plan and discuss ways to include engineering activities across the curriculum, such as learning centers and literacy activities. (B: synthesis)
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The Institute for Education and Professional Development, Inc.
The Institute for Education and Professional Development, Inc. was established in 2005 to provide professional development and consultation services to early childhood programs and educators. We work collaboratively with programs, educators, and agencies to improve the quality of education and care for young children and families.
IEPD has master instructors who provide training, coaching and mentoring services. Each of the IEPD instructors receives training on adult learning principles, training design and delivery, and evaluation. All of the IEPD instructors have worked in the field of early childhood education, bringing their own experiences and "lessons learned" to the training.
Our trainings are fun, engaging, and are filled with important information and resources. We want to work with you, hear your stories, successes and challenges, and provide assistance to help you in your work.
IEPD has master instructors who provide training, coaching and mentoring services. Each of the IEPD instructors receives training on adult learning principles, training design and delivery, and evaluation. All of the IEPD instructors have worked in the field of early childhood education, bringing their own experiences and "lessons learned" to the training.
Our trainings are fun, engaging, and are filled with important information and resources. We want to work with you, hear your stories, successes and challenges, and provide assistance to help you in your work.
Patrick Jones - Course author
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