In this interactive Optics workshop, you will learn to appreciate the magic of colour, mirrors, and shadows through the eyes of a child and explore the pedagogy behind developing child-led inquiry projects in your service or classroom.

This 3.5 hour professional development workshop will give you the confidence to unlock the wonders of STEM in your service through the gateway of optics, develop and facilitate project work, and is a great workshop for educators who are both new and experienced in delivering STEM in early childhood settings.

STEM topic: Optics

In this hands on workshop, you will learn how to create rich STEM learning experiences and use optics as a topic through which to teach the outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework. Interactive activities can include:

Split sunlight in different ways and make rainbows with crystals, soap bubbles, and CDs.
Follow, catch, and trap your shadow.
See how far you can “transport” light throughout a dark room.
Explore reflections in everyday life and discover why some reflections are distorted, magnified, shrunk or even upside down.
Make your own spying device.
Build a shadow theatre and play with puppets.
Investigate the connections between three dimensional objects, their shadows, and make your own sundial.
Find out how to create and mix different colours of lights.
Mix colours into brown, and then try unmixing them.
Learn about binocular rivalry and test your own peripheral vision.

Pedagogy topic: Inquiry projects in early childhood

Ever wanted to run an inquiry-based project with the children in your service but have been unsure how to start? This is an essential workshop in which you will learn:

The difference between a thematic approach versus project work in early childhood education.
Your role as the “learning coach” through the four phases of the project.
Different ways of approaching an inquiry-based project.
The structure and purpose of projects in the early childhood setting.
How to maximise children’s participation in the decision-making process throughout project work.
How to foster the collaborative and innovative spirit of their group.
To use colour, mirrors, and light to build a portfolio of inspiration for inquiry-based project work.

STEM Learning Outcomes

This STEM workshop will provide you with the following learning outcomes through the specific lens of optics:

Understand the important role of inquiry-based learning and co-construction in early education.
Uncover how early education can foster children’s metacognitive development.
Learn how communication, reflection, and questioning can enhance children’s ability to think about their own learning.
Exchange ideas and experiences with other like-minded educators and reflect on your current practice.
Receive comprehensive topic-specific materials with educational STEM ideas and information about inquiry-based practices.
The confidence to tap into, guide, and focus children’s natural interests and abilities.
The confidence to pass on your new knowledge and skills to your colleagues and to become a STEM champion in your service.
Equipped with a portfolio of inspiration for inquiry projects.
Have a sound understanding of the structure and purpose of projects in early childhood education.

Practical info about this workshop:

WHO: This workshop is suitable for all educators and teachers — no prior STEM knowledge required.

COST: $215 per participant. Ticket includes morning tea.

FACILITATOR: Hayley Bates and Lena Hammond, Little Scientists Trainers.

BRING: Please bring something to write notes with and wear comfortable clothing suitable for hands-on activities and experiments.

TRANSPORT: Please research your parking and public transport options ahead of time.

GOOD TO KNOW: This workshop provides you with a variety of tools and educational concepts to meet a range of requirements of the NQF and EYLF.

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

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