< View Training Calendar

Location: South Burlington

Training Type: In Person

Total Hours: 6

Cost: $ 150

Scholarship: Yes

Contact Information:

Wendy Cohen
(802) 498-3350
wendy.cohen@vthec.org

Just Playing Around: Teaching STEM Through Inquiry, Exploration, and Play, PK – Grade 1 – Science Sylvia Kennedy-Godin

Special Topics:
Sponsor: Vermont Higher Education Collaborative
Instructor: Susan Koch

Children are naturally curious, full of questions, creative, and playful. This four-part workshop series uses the concept of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as play; children are engaged in asking questions, making discoveries, experimenting, working with others, and working toward proficiency in the VELS, NGSS and CCSS standards. The format of each workshop reflects this playful approach to STEM. Participants will interact with each other, ask questions, explore materials, and play. Participants in this workshop will leave with a STEM toolkit of ideas and simple materials grounded in: Using the outdoors as a learning environment that optimizes play and exploration; Introducing science phenomena, tasks and problems to spark curiosity; Employing strategies that encourage questioning and prompt inquiry; Using literature to thread science themes throughout the day; Reflecting and documenting with technology; and Scaffolding to include all learners and personalize learning.

Core Knowledge Area
  • Child Development & Learning
  • Developmentally Appropriate & Inclusive Practices
  • Curriculum & Learning Environments
Focus
  • Preschool/PreK
  • School-Age
Session Dates
Session Times
October 17, 2019
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Additional Information

Parking on site. Breakfast and Lunch included. The Just Playing Around series of workshops can also be taken as a 3-credit graduate course. The course requires participating in all four workshops, completing readings and assignments online, focusing on purposeful play, cultivating STEM identities, and strengthening both teacher and children’s mindsets with STEM content.