2-075 - Engaging Young Learners in Science Both in and out of School

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Engaging young learners in science education not only develops their scientific literacy—a critical 21st century skill—(Eshach & Fried, 2005; Greenfield, 2017; National Research Council, 2007), but promotes skills in language and literacy (Brenneman, 2011; French, 2004), socioemotional (French, 2004), and domain general skills (Brenneman, 2011; Eshach & Fried, 2005; Greenfield, 2017). Few children, however, have opportunities to engage with science in the early years—both at home and in preschool (Gerde, Pierce, Lee, & Van Egeren, 2018; Piasta, Pelatti, & Miller, 2014; Silander et al., 2018; Tu, 2006). Utilizing qualitative and quantitative approaches, this symposium leverages diverse perspectives and datasets from four different research groups to examine strategies for advancing PreK science education in both home and school environments. The symposium begins by examining how 335 Head Start families promote science in their homes and communities. The next presentation gives voice to a diverse group of families, capturing the unique ways families approach science education and informs measure development for future family-focused research. Moving into the classroom, the third study examines how early educators foster scientific inquiry through teacher-child interactions within a nature-based preschool, a rapidly growing, but understudied context. Synthesizing the developmental work, the final presentation articulates the findings of a QED examining child outcomes of an intervention enacting both home and classroom supports for science education. Panelists and attendees will discuss promising avenues for advancing early childhood science education in both home and classroom settings and consider future directions for research in early childhood science education.

Sub Unit

• Education, Schooling

Chair

• Rachel Larimore, Michigan State University

Individual Presentations

• Science Opportunities Provided in the Homes of Head Start Children - Presenting Author: Arianna E Pikus, Michigan State University; Non-Presenting Author: Hope Gerde, Michigan State University; Non-Presenting Author: Laurie Van Egeren, Michigan State University

• Development and Evaluation of the Preschool Family Attitudes and Beliefs towards Science Measure - Presenting Author: Elica B Sharifnia, University of Miami; Non-Presenting Author: Daryl Greenfield, University of Miami

• Investigating How Teachers Interact with Children about Science in a Nature-based Preschool - Presenting Author: Rachel Larimore, Michigan State University

• Science for Young Children: Linking Teacher Professional Development and Family Engagement to Improve Student Achievement - Presenting Author: Susanna Hapgood, University of Toledo; Non-Presenting Author: Charlene Czerniak, University of Toledo