Have you ever met a child who was not fascinated by water? From ice blocks to raindrops, children love to explore water. Come along to Little Scientist’s foundational workshop to explore STEM through the vehicle of water and the critical pedagogical topics of co-construction, metacognition, and inquiry-based learning in early education.

STEM topic: Water

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

Exploring water with all five senses and investigating its many aggregate states.
Exploring the density of water by making rainbow layers and “floating” objects.
Finding out if it’s possible to boil water in balloons and mix (and then unmix!) colour pigments in water.
Hiding objects within bubbles and making bubble cubes.
Exploring capillary action with the walking water experiment and watching a stick of celery turn blue.
Observing the interactions between ice and salt and hydrophobic and hydrophilic objects. Just to name a few!

Pedagogical topics: Co-construction, metacognition, and inquiry-based learning

Our Water Workshop is Little Scientists’ foundational workshop and we strongly recommend every educator attend this workshop at one point. This is because the topic of water provides an effective vehicle through which to explore the pillars of the Little Scientists' educational approach: co-construction, metacognition, and inquiry-based learning. You will learn how to:

Create a co-constructed learning environment by exploring water.
Investigate the concepts of free exploration, prompted exploration and demonstration and discuss their role in inquiry-based practices.
Explore your role in a co-constructed environment and practise documenting children’s learning.
Critically reflect on the challenges and successes in your current STEM practices.
Understand the important role of inquiry-based learning in early childhood education.

By the end of this workshop, you will be equipped with real-life ideas on how to create a nurturing setting for children to explore STEM in age-appropriate ways.

STEM Learning Outcomes

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

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.

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: Natalie and Cassandra, Little Scientists Local Network Partner 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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