Swinging, running, jumping, falling. Children love to have fun with physical forces and to explore their effects. In this interactive workshop, we will delve into the impact of physical forces through leveraging, lifting, swinging, and moving and unleash our inner engineer.

Do you like to get creative or to immerse yourself in step-by-step instructions? Find out your engineering type – an analyst, experimenter, maker, or inventor — and, thinking about the different types of children in in your service, discover how to playfully integrate technical education into a nurturing learning environment.

STEM topic: Engineering

In this hands on, interactive workshop, you will learn how to create rich STEM learning experiences in your service through the exciting topic of engineering and use it as a topic through which to teach the outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework. Activities may include:

Use rods, weights, and tools to invent something that balances on a rope.
Discover how forces initiate movement.
See the impact of friction by playing tug-of-war.
Understand the connection between movement, mechanics, and the effect of physical force on the human body.
Find out how a rock and a feather can fall at the same speed.
Make your own catapult.
Set up an incline plane and crash test toy cars.
Make a Leaning Tower of Pisa and explore what happens when the diameter, height, or weight changes.

Pedagogical topic: Early technical education

The workshop will help you recognise opportunities for technical learning in everyday life and show you how to scaffold children’s eagerness to invent, produce, analyse, and experiment. By the end of the workshop, you will gain the ability to:

Explore invention, production, analysis, and experimentation as facets of engineering.
Recognise individual preferences in technical education and explore your own technical approach.
Learn how to integrate technical education into your setting in age-appropriate ways.
Compare natural sciences to engineering and comprehend the difference between a technical approach and a scientific approach.
Define the purpose of engineering and consider what a world without engineering would be like.
Identify what type of engineer you are and consider the challenge of involving children with diverse preferences and skills.
Learn how to engage children in technical questions and exploration.

STEM Learning Outcomes

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

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: This workshop is free of charge. The Northern Territory Department of Education has generously covered the cost for all NT educators and teachers to register for this workshop. The department understands the value and importance that this PD offers and will continue to offer Little Scientists workshops free of charge throughout 2023.

FACILITATOR: Liana and Meagan, 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 hello@littlescientists.org.au

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