Poster #34 - Play, Modeling, and Play-as-Modeling in Early Elementary Science

• In Event: 47.099 - MTCC Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: 47.099-5 - Learning Sciences SIG Poster Session

Abstract

Recent research has shown how play-based activities can help young children learn science concepts; children’s role play activity can serve as a building block for scientific modeling (Authors, 2012; 2015). This study aims to investigate young children’s understanding of play and modeling, and how their understanding may influence their engagement in science learning activities such as those supported by STEP platform. Forty-eight 1st and 2nd graders participated in eight embodied play activities led by two teachers and a one-on-one interview focused on their understanding of play and modeling before and after the implementation. The interview data was analyzed in a thematic approach to explore young children’s understanding of play and how this may have informed their activities when learning sciences.

Authors

• Xintian Tu, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Joshua Adam Danish, Indiana University

• Chris Georgen, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Megan Alyse Humburg, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Noel D. Enyedy, Vanderbilt University