Pacific Union Conference
Office of Education
Volume 17, No. 3
Summer, 2019
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Science – Technology – Engineering – Math in the ECE Classroom
Compiled by Julie Yamada
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We are hearing a lot about STEM education and now find that early childhood Centers are promoting STEM programs to their families and expanding their teacher training on STEM. Some early childhood teachers do not feel confident in presenting lessons on science, technology, engineering and math but many teachers are teaching STEM without realizing it. Some teachers are not comfortable with the “T” for technology because that sounds like computers in the classroom and children are already overloaded with screen time at home. In the early childhood classroom, the “T” in STEM should refer less to technology and more to tools, such as magnifying glasses, loose parts to build with, measuring tools, scale to weigh items, etc.
STEM education begins early but not in the formal sense that you may think. First, let’s talk about what STEM is. STEM is a way of thinking about how children can use their knowledge across the various parts of the curriculum, encouraging them to think in a more connected and holistic way. Children’s learning is strengthened when they learn the same skills, ideas, and concepts in different situations and environments. An example would be when math can be practiced with science and both can be part of language or writing then the child is practicing math/science skills and their math/science terminology throughout their play.
It is important to remember that young children have a natural and innate curiosity about the world we live in. As teachers, we should plan the environment and lessons in a way that children can investigate and ask questions. We also need to remember that the experiences children have in our programs should help to instill in them a love for STEM. If we can hook them early to being interested in STEM then they will be more likely to seek opportunities in the fields of STEM as they get older. We may not realize it but by involving children in STEM education early, teachers are preparing children for jobs that have not yet been created. How amazing to be part of setting the foundation for a child’s future learning in STEM!
When to start?
It is never to early to start introducing STEM to children. Infants and toddlers are already curious and love to try new things so age appropriate STEM activities interest them. Through their play, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are already in the STEM learning mode. They investigate how water flows when pouring from cup to cup or experiment with sand to see how much water to mix with it to make it become a different consistency. Preschoolers may use blocks to build ramps and see which size car goes faster down their ramp. All this is STEM and the teacher can be intentional about using science words to help the children describe what they are investigating and the result of their experiment.
What does it look like?
Setting up a STEM classroom, indoors and outdoors, is easier than you think, and it does not have to be limited to just a math or science center. If you have magnifying glasses, magnets, books on farm life, insects etc., blocks and other building materials, small objects for counting, balls and sensory materials then you have a good start on setting up your STEM classroom
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Resources
Barbra, J.G. (2017). Baby Steps to STEM Infant and Toddler Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Activities. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press
Jacobson, L. (May 10, 2019). Pre-t0-3: new certificate recognizes strong early-childhood STEM programs. Retrieved from: https://www.educationdive.com/news/pre-to-3-new-certification-recognizes-strong-early-childhood-stem-programs/554103/
Sneideman, J. (December 2013). Engaging Children in STEM Education Early! Retrieved from: https://naturalstart.org/feature-stories/engaging-children-stem-education-early
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STEM Challenge
Are you doing STEM in your classroom or ECE program? Share your pictures of STEM in your classroom or ECE program along with a 250 word or more paragraph to describe 1) What the STEM project is 2) The age group(s) you are having do the STEM project 3) The STEM concepts that you were introducing 4) The children's reaction to the STEM project 5) Remember to include Teacher's name(s), the name of the ECE program and if the STEM project came from the CREATION Kids curriculum (Reference the Unit, Week and day so others can find the Science/STEM project.)
The first 5 Teachers/ECE Programs to submit will receive a $100 gift card to Lakeshore to purchase STEM supplies for their classroom/ECE program along with one of the resource books shown below. We will ask you which one you would like after you submit to the STEM challenge. The first 5 STEM projects will also be featured in the PUC ECE newsletter for others to gain ideas from.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS AUGUST 2. One submission per ECE program.
Submit to: Julie Yamada
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ECEC Programs Closing Reports
Reminder that your closing reports are due to your local Conference office at the end of the fiscal year or when they have indicated to turn them in. It is important that the ECEC Conference Liaison have time to review them before turning them in to the Pacific Union Office of Education by July 15.
Thank You!
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Early Childhood Education Bills
California ECE Programs
SB443 - Transitional kindergarten: average daily attendance - proposed expanding funding for Transitional Kindergarten (TK), meaning all 4-year-olds could be placed into age-inappropriate K-12 classrooms. This bill was stopped in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Over 1000 opposition letters were received.
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Pacific Union Conference
ECE Professional Achievement Recognition (PAR)Grant
We are strongly encouraging ECE teachers and directors to continue to work on their professional development. The PUC ECE office offers a PAR grant of $200 to 8 individuals who meet the eligibility requirements and submit their paper work in a timely manner.
The Mission of the PUC ECE PAR Grant:
The Early Childhood Education PAR grant is designed to give opportunity for ECE professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge of current practices in the ECE field.
If you are interested please click on the link for the application and instructions.
Applications due by August 1, 2019
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ECEC Director's Workshop
Save the Date!
November 19-20, 2019
Join us for:
- Networking with ECE directors, K-12 principals, Conference superintendents and associates
- Accreditation updates with Evelyn Sullivan (New NAD ECE Director)
- Curriculum updates
- Dynamic workshop on Collaboration with Marie Alcock
- Licensing updates for California
Plan ahead! Your Professional Development is important.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Director's Workshop 2017 photos
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Look for us on Facebook: Pacific Union ECE Professionals Group. Join us for discussion and sharing about ECE topics and experiences. Hope to see you there!
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