Just Playing Around: Teaching STEM Through Inquiry, Exploration, and Play, PK – Grade 1 – Science Sylvia Kennedy-Godin September 11, 2019

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.