STEM: Science and Environment in Early Childhood

Catalog description

This course provides the Early Childhood educator with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for engaging curiosity, developing STEM literacy, and embracing a sense of wonder in young children. Through the lens of research-based best practices, this course addresses how young learners construct and represent scientific knowledge through problem solving, inquiry-based and playful exploration, cooperative learning experiences, a notice and wonder model, and integration with other curricular areas. Specific emphasis is placed on Environmental Education and a consideration of place-based learning as essential for the young scientist. Students develop concepts about essential components and skills of scientific inquiry; and use this information in planning, assessing, implementing, differentiating, and modifying developmentally appropriate instructional strategies for diverse learners. Prerequisite: minimum score of 01 in 'Upper Division Status'.