STEM Education in Early Childhood: Voices From the Field

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Eleven
  In Roundtable Session: Research on STEM in Early Childhood (Table 6)

Abstract

Young children are natural scientists and engage in exploring the world around them since infancy. Preschool classrooms abound in STEM learning opportunities and research has shown the efficacy of different instructional strategies to promote young children’s STEM learning. However, few studies examined early childhood teachers’ perspectives on STEM teaching and learning. With a qualitative study design, we investigated eight preschool teachers’ STEM teaching practices to make their voices visible. We present four themes that emerged from the analysis, which include: STEM teaching practices, children’s STEM learning, educator orientation towards STEM teaching, and contextual factors influencing STEM Teaching. Results will inform the design of different supports for teachers who teach STEM in preschool.

Authors

• Lu Wang, Indiana University - Kokomo
  Presenting Author

• Alina Mihai, Indiana University - Kokomo
  Presenting Author