EESTEAM - Early Education STEAM - Pedagogical Inovations for STEM, STEAM, STREAM, differentiated learning
“STEM is a way of thinking about how educators at all levels - including parents - should be helping students integrate knowledge across disciplines, encouraging them to think in a more connected and holistic way” (Sneideman, 2013).
Research tells us that children’s early experience builds brain architecture and lays the foundation for one’s lifelong
thinking skills and approach to learning, both critical roots of STEM success. After all, the STEM disciplines require not only content knowledge but also robust thinking dispositions—such as curiosity and inquiry, questioning and skepticism, assessment and analysis—as well as a strong learning mindset and confidence when encountering new information or challenges. These need to be developed in a child’s early education, beginning in infancy and continuing through third grade to lay the roots
for STEM success. (McClure et al., 2017).
At the same time, adult guidance, support, and awareness are critical to harnessing our intrinsic STEM capacity
and transforming it into lifelong STEM intelligence, knowledge, and capability. Specifically, Center for Childhood Creativity offer six research-backed findings:
Research tells us that children’s early experience builds brain architecture and lays the foundation for one’s lifelong
thinking skills and approach to learning, both critical roots of STEM success. After all, the STEM disciplines require not only content knowledge but also robust thinking dispositions—such as curiosity and inquiry, questioning and skepticism, assessment and analysis—as well as a strong learning mindset and confidence when encountering new information or challenges. These need to be developed in a child’s early education, beginning in infancy and continuing through third grade to lay the roots
for STEM success. (McClure et al., 2017).
At the same time, adult guidance, support, and awareness are critical to harnessing our intrinsic STEM capacity
and transforming it into lifelong STEM intelligence, knowledge, and capability. Specifically, Center for Childhood Creativity offer six research-backed findings:
- STEM thinking begins in infancy
- To become strong STEM thinkers, children need more play
- STEM amplifies language development - language enables STEM thinking
- Active, self-directed learning builds STEM skills and interest
- Mindset matters to STEM success
- Children’s abstract thinking potential can be unlocked through both adult support and executive function skill development
Program of Training Activities
School Visits and Job Swadowing offered whithin the course, |
EESTEAM - Early Education STEAM
Program
Day by Day program of the training activities under Key Action 1
Day 1: Monday
10:00 - 11:00: Welcome and course introduction and overview
11:30 - 13:30: STEM-STEAM approach in Early Education [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
14:30 - 16:00: STEM-STEAM sample lessons that can be introduced in Early Education, Nursery and Kindergarten that focus on real-world issues and problems. [Demonstration]
Evening: Free Time
Day 2: Tuesday
10:00 - 12:00: Hands-on exercises on how to implement Inquiry Based Learning, how to design and address the Scientific Method in your lesson planning [workshop]
13:00 - 15:00: STEM-STEAM lessons immerse students in hands-on inquiry and open-ended exploration [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
15:00 - 16:00: STEM-STEAM lessons involve students in productive teamwork and allow for multiple right answers and re-frame failure as a necessary part of learning [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
Cultural Program (optional):
STE[A]M Athens Old City walk, Plaka, Thisseio, Ancient Agora of Athens, Acropolis Museum and/or Acropolis Hill and/or Anafiotika. Enjoy the sightseeing and discover STE[A]M approaches that can be incorporated during a field trip with students
Day 3: Wednesday*
10:00 - 12:00: Presentation of STEM-STEAM based Web2.0 & Web3.0 applications and tools used by teachers and some by students [Demonstration]
13:00 - 15:00: Hands-on exercises on how to use these STEM-STEAM based Web2.0 & Web3.0 applications [workshop]
15:00 - 16:00: Possible scenarios on using these tools in everyday teaching activities [Brainstorming among participants]
* For groups up to three (3) participants the course will take place at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Day 4: Thursday
Visit at Glyfada's Open Street Market and Food Market
10:00 - 12:00: Video production for enhancing curiosity and engagement. Video cab be used in Blended Learning approaches such as Flipped Classroom, as well as in MicroLearning (giving your students bits of knowledge base in a daily "prescription"). Learn how to combine YouTube in your Educational paradigm, and how to implement Digital Storytelling using video.
13:00 - 14:00: Quick tools and professional tools. [Demonstration]
14:30 - 16:00: CLIL (Content Language Intergrated Learning) methodology used in STEM-STEAM learning paths [workshop]
Evening: Free Time
Day 5: Friday
09:30 - 11:30: JOB SHADOWING: visit a private school in Athens area and experience a STEAM implementation by Dr. Petros Georgiakakis
11:30 - 13:30: Project group work
14:00 - 16:00: Presentation of group projects, Evaluation, followed by certification ceremony, Guidelines for follow-up activities.
Closure
Program
Day by Day program of the training activities under Key Action 1
Day 1: Monday
10:00 - 11:00: Welcome and course introduction and overview
11:30 - 13:30: STEM-STEAM approach in Early Education [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
14:30 - 16:00: STEM-STEAM sample lessons that can be introduced in Early Education, Nursery and Kindergarten that focus on real-world issues and problems. [Demonstration]
Evening: Free Time
Day 2: Tuesday
10:00 - 12:00: Hands-on exercises on how to implement Inquiry Based Learning, how to design and address the Scientific Method in your lesson planning [workshop]
13:00 - 15:00: STEM-STEAM lessons immerse students in hands-on inquiry and open-ended exploration [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
15:00 - 16:00: STEM-STEAM lessons involve students in productive teamwork and allow for multiple right answers and re-frame failure as a necessary part of learning [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
Cultural Program (optional):
STE[A]M Athens Old City walk, Plaka, Thisseio, Ancient Agora of Athens, Acropolis Museum and/or Acropolis Hill and/or Anafiotika. Enjoy the sightseeing and discover STE[A]M approaches that can be incorporated during a field trip with students
Day 3: Wednesday*
10:00 - 12:00: Presentation of STEM-STEAM based Web2.0 & Web3.0 applications and tools used by teachers and some by students [Demonstration]
13:00 - 15:00: Hands-on exercises on how to use these STEM-STEAM based Web2.0 & Web3.0 applications [workshop]
15:00 - 16:00: Possible scenarios on using these tools in everyday teaching activities [Brainstorming among participants]
* For groups up to three (3) participants the course will take place at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Day 4: Thursday
Visit at Glyfada's Open Street Market and Food Market
10:00 - 12:00: Video production for enhancing curiosity and engagement. Video cab be used in Blended Learning approaches such as Flipped Classroom, as well as in MicroLearning (giving your students bits of knowledge base in a daily "prescription"). Learn how to combine YouTube in your Educational paradigm, and how to implement Digital Storytelling using video.
13:00 - 14:00: Quick tools and professional tools. [Demonstration]
14:30 - 16:00: CLIL (Content Language Intergrated Learning) methodology used in STEM-STEAM learning paths [workshop]
Evening: Free Time
Day 5: Friday
09:30 - 11:30: JOB SHADOWING: visit a private school in Athens area and experience a STEAM implementation by Dr. Petros Georgiakakis
11:30 - 13:30: Project group work
14:00 - 16:00: Presentation of group projects, Evaluation, followed by certification ceremony, Guidelines for follow-up activities.
Closure
Course Description
This course is designed to provide early education teachers with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to implement pedagogical innovations for STEM/STEAM/STREAM education, with a focus on differentiated learning. The course will cover a range of topics, including best practices for designing and implementing STEM/STEAM/STREAM activities, integrating STEAM into the early education curriculum, and adapting activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Teachers will learn how to design and implement developmentally appropriate STEM/STEAM/STREAM activities that engage young children in hands-on exploration and inquiry-based learning. The course will cover various teaching strategies, such as play-based learning, project-based learning, and inquiry-based learning, to help teachers create engaging and effective learning experiences for their young students.
The course will also explore STEAM integration, which involves the integration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in the early education curriculum. Teachers will learn how to design STEAM-based activities that are engaging and relevant to young children and promote the development of critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
Another key focus of the course is differentiated learning, which is essential for meeting the diverse needs of young learners. Teachers will learn how to adapt activities to meet the needs of children with varying abilities, interests, and learning styles, and how to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
Throughout the course, teachers will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers, share ideas and best practices, and receive feedback on their work. By the end of the course, teachers will have the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to design and implement effective, engaging, and developmentally appropriate STEM/STEAM/STREAM-based learning experiences that meet the needs of all young learners.
Teachers will learn how to design and implement developmentally appropriate STEM/STEAM/STREAM activities that engage young children in hands-on exploration and inquiry-based learning. The course will cover various teaching strategies, such as play-based learning, project-based learning, and inquiry-based learning, to help teachers create engaging and effective learning experiences for their young students.
The course will also explore STEAM integration, which involves the integration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in the early education curriculum. Teachers will learn how to design STEAM-based activities that are engaging and relevant to young children and promote the development of critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
Another key focus of the course is differentiated learning, which is essential for meeting the diverse needs of young learners. Teachers will learn how to adapt activities to meet the needs of children with varying abilities, interests, and learning styles, and how to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
Throughout the course, teachers will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers, share ideas and best practices, and receive feedback on their work. By the end of the course, teachers will have the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to design and implement effective, engaging, and developmentally appropriate STEM/STEAM/STREAM-based learning experiences that meet the needs of all young learners.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the "EESTEAM - Early Education STEAM - Pedagogical Innovations for STEM, STEAM, STREAM, Differentiated Learning" teacher training course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the importance of early education STEM/STEAM/STREAM education and its role in promoting the development of critical thinking, creativity, and innovation in young learners.
- Design and implement developmentally appropriate STEM/STEAM/STREAM activities that engage young children in hands-on exploration and inquiry-based learning.
- Understand the different teaching strategies, such as play-based learning, project-based learning, and inquiry-based learning, and how to use them to create engaging and effective learning experiences for young children.
- Integrate STEAM concepts and applications in their early education curriculum, and design STEAM-based activities that promote the development of critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
- Adapt activities to meet the needs of children with varying abilities, interests, and learning styles, and create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
- Use technology and digital resources to support early education STEM/STEAM/STREAM education.
- Collaborate with peers, share ideas and best practices, and receive feedback on their work.
- Reflect on their teaching practice and continuously improve their approach based on new knowledge and skills gained through the course.
- Develop a sustainable mindset and encourage their students to make responsible choices that contribute to a more sustainable future.
- Understand the importance of parental involvement and how to engage parents in their child's STEM/STEAM/STREAM education.
Methodology
The face-to-face "EESTEAM - Early Education STEAM - Pedagogical Innovations for STEM, STEAM, STREAM, Differentiated Learning" teacher training course will use a range of engaging and interactive teaching methods to support participants in achieving the learning objectives. The course methodology will include:
- Hands-on activities: Participants will engage in hands-on activities that promote exploration and inquiry-based learning. This could involve designing and building prototypes, conducting experiments, or exploring scientific phenomena.
- Collaborative learning: Participants will work in small groups to share ideas, discuss best practices, and co-create lesson plans and activities.
- Workshops: Expert facilitators will lead workshops on specific topics, such as play-based learning, project-based learning, and inquiry-based learning, to provide participants with practical tools and strategies to incorporate into their teaching practice.
- Field trips: Participants will visit local museums, science centers, and other educational institutions to gain inspiration and learn about the latest trends in early education STEM/STEAM/STREAM.
- Reflection and feedback: Participants will have opportunities to reflect on their learning and receive feedback from their peers and facilitators. This will include self-reflection activities, peer assessments, and feedback from the course facilitators.
- Technology integration: Participants will learn how to integrate technology into their early education STEM/STEAM/STREAM lessons through hands-on demonstrations and interactive workshops.
- Outdoor learning: Participants will explore the natural environment and learn how to incorporate outdoor learning into their early education STEM/STEAM/STREAM lessons.
Submit your inquiry
Find the course and the available dates at the European School Education Platform - ESEP
If you need any help in applying or in complete the application form contact Dr. Petros Georgiakakis at petrosprojects[at]gmail.com
Inquiries may be submitted via google forms
If you need any help in applying or in complete the application form contact Dr. Petros Georgiakakis at petrosprojects[at]gmail.com
Inquiries may be submitted via google forms