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STEAM Preschool

The Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) Preschool team at the Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education (IEECE) at Palm Beach State College aims to holistically mix creativity with STEAM learning. 

We emphasize creativity, innovation, playful learning, investigation, discovery, problem-solving fun and critical thinking. We believe this combination of the arts and creativity with STEAM learning instills children with an interest and curiosity about the world around them. They seek to discover answers to their own questions about science, technology, engineering, art and math.

 

The Role of the Adult

The adult that is facilitating activities for early learners should be creating experiences and opportunities for discovery. Demonstration is not engaging for young children and directing them through every step of the process doesn't allow for creativity, problem solving or independence.

  • Playing To Learn: Experience is the best way to learn. When children have fun, playful, engaging opportunities to explore STEAM concepts, they not only learn, they learn to love learning.
  • Explore: Provide children with many opportunities and lots of time to investigate.
  • Vocabulary: Join children's play and add to conversations with new STEAM language authentically.
  • Creativity: Give children many and varied opportunities to make, build, paint and create.
  • Many and Varied Experiences: Ask fewer questions with fixed answers. Ask more questions that spark thought and curiosity. Embrace questions without a single “right” answer. Show your own curiosity — and model genuine excitement for discovering something new.
  • Discovery (Not Demonstration): Ask yourself: "Is this activity the child's or mine?" Make sure the child is the artist or scientist. Make sure they are the ones that are doing the thinking and making discoveries.

 

STEAM Lessons

The IEECE STEAM team has created ready-to-use, hands-on lessons with standards, STEAM links, materials, steps and tips.

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STEAM Resources

Early Childhood Resources

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The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning in partnership with the Office of Head Start is going “full STEAM ahead” with these resources and in-service webinars.

 

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has STEAM resources including books, articles and blogs.

 

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) provided a Preschool Innovative STEM Curriculum Grant to the Hundred Acre School at Heritage Museums & Gardens. They created a STEM-focused curriculum for early learners.

 

edWeb.net has a collection of archived webinars focused on STEAM in early childhood.

 

STEAM-themed Children's Books