Professional development AND virtual incursion for services in NSW

Our three-part series of interactive webinars will empower you to confidently engage in STEM learning with the children in your service. Little Scientists will introduce you to the concepts of inquiry-based STEM learning and help you develop a teaching toolkit to inspire STEM explorations and build children’s STEM skills. The webinar series also includes a professional networking opportunity, encouraging you to share ideas with other educators.

Little Scientists invites you to see the approach in action during a virtual interactive incursion.

Our facilitators will prompt questions and ideas, inspiring children to take a proactive role in the discovery of STEM. Using everyday materials, Little Scientists will demonstrate and guide 3- to 6-year-old children through hands-on learning experiences, supported by their educators, or their parents if they are joining from their homes.

A final webinar following the incursion invites educators to discuss their experiences, reflect on their professional learning and share thoughts and ideas.
Your service will be sent a resource list prior to the incursion.

PLEASE NOTE: Children’s privacy and internet safety is important to Little Scientists. Our online incursions are for one service at a time, ensuring that only our presenters as well as the educators and other children from their own service can see the children. Participants joining in from home can choose if they want to share the video and audio from their web camera when they join the incursion.

Webinar 1: Overview

Date: Tuesday, 4 August 2020 10:00am – 11:00am AEST

Overview of early STEM education and inquiry-based learning, focussing on the importance of playfulness and joy as impetuses to scientific discovery and research
Creating a rich learning environment to stimulate discoveries, enrich STEM learning opportunities and nurture curiosity in children and adults alike
Resourcing STEM activities, learning how to use what you already have for fantastic explorations

Webinar 2: Hands-on STEM exploration

Date: Thursday, 13 August 2020 10:00am – 11:00am AEST

Interactive demonstrations of STEM explorations using items found around the home
Discovering everyday phenomena and explanations of basic scientific concepts
Learning techniques to find STEM explorations in everyday situations making STEM accessible to young children

Virtual incursion

Date: incursions are available daily from 17th – 21st August 2020

9:30am – 10:00am and 11:00am – 11:30am AEST

Note: time slots are limited to one service per session.

Up to five interactive STEM demonstrations using items found around the home (or service)
Prompts, questions and ideas to inspire children to take a proactive role in the discovery of STEM

Webinar 3: Reflection

Date: Wednesday, 26 August 2020 10:00am – 11:00am AEST

Reflection on the incursions, what worked well and how to overcome challenges
Reflection on your role as an educator and learning coach in STEM education
Discussion and exchange of ideas on next steps to take implementation of STEM exploration further within you service and for children staying at home

Who is this webinar for: parents, librarians, teachers, educators and anyone who wishes to spark children’s excitement in STEM exploration

Questions? Email us at workshops@littlescientists.org.au

NESA accreditation is available for NSW registered teachers.
Completing this workshop will contribute 1 hour per webinar of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Registered PD for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

This initiative is supported by Inspiring Australia as part of National Science Week.