What makes a natural scientist? Wonder, curiosity, and a sense of purpose. Young children ask the most amazing questions about how the world works, and playful learning and hands-on STEAM activities can be powerful vehicles for learning. This session will help you capitalize on your students’ natural curiosity by helping you connect inquiry-based learning, hands-on STEAM activities. and multicultural picture books into dynamic engaging lessons.

In this workshop, participants will develop a toolbox of practical ideas for connecting STEAM and multicultural picture books to create curriculum experiences that organically harness play to foster opportunities for reading, writing, math, science, and social-emotional learning throughout the day. The workshop experience is hands-on and encourages active and engaged participation throughout. We will discuss specific examples and strategies for connecting multicultural picture books and authentic STEAM experiences using materials readily available in most early childhood or elementary settings. As participants play and learn in the way that we want to model for our youngest learners, they will explore strategies for selecting and connecting books to support curriculum needs and develop a framework for building and implementing STEAM-based lessons in early childhood classrooms.

As part of the framework, we focus on connecting play and inquiry-based learning. This innovative perspective allows us to explore ways to foster discovery, wonder, and joyful learning together – addressing strategies to help early childhood educators remove their potential fears about teaching science and demonstrating ways to effectively integrate it into the overall curriculum. Workshop attendees will participate in structured hands-on activities with their table teams to reinforce the STEAM strategies being shared by the presenter. Participants will also explore a wide range of resources and multicultural picture books, then work together to use a guided framework for creating a rich STEAM infused lesson/experience appropriate for the early childhood audience.

Objectives
Participants will be able to:

• Develop a toolbox of practical ideas for creating STEAM and multicultural picture book curriculum experiences.
• Build hands-on connections between science, literacy, math, and social-emotional learning.
• Identify and connect multicultural picture books to STEAM experiences throughout the early childhood/elementary school day.
• Explore strategies for enhancing English literacy learning in the early childhood/elementary curriculum

Outline

Session 1:

• Introductions and objectives
• Hands-on examples and demonstrations of how inquiry/multicultural picture books/STEAM experiences fuse to enhance the curriculum
• Inquiry-Based Learning— what is it and why is it important for child development AND classroom management
• STEAM experiences — how can hands-on learning support and enhance the curriculum while supporting wonder and curiosity in the early years of development?
• Multicultural picture books — the secret sauce that ties it all together
• Literacy strategies for supporting English Language Learners

Session 2:

• Teacher’s role in connecting inquiry-based learning, STEAM, and picture books for ELL
• How to support ELL and STEAM connections in the classroom
• Examples of ELL strategies and STEAM curriculum connections using fairy tales, folk tales, and picture books
• Assessing the classroom space for improved STEAM and ELL opportunities
• Collaboration and planning in small groups — incorporating what we’ve learned into everyday curriculum
• Additional resources to support building STEAM and ELL connections in the classroom

Trainer’s Profile
In addition to 25+ years experience in the formal and informal education worlds, Dr. Diane S. earned her M.T. and PhD in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia. She founded a preschool built on the idea that all children were natural scientists and explorers (and that picture books could connect all of the thematic units). While working in the museum education field, she developed and provided in-person and virtual hands-on STEAM programs that inspired curiosity and wonder in children of all ages. Dr. Diane currently works with teachers across the country, focusing on connecting multicultural literature with engaging and meaningful STEAM challenges. She is an adjunct professor for the University of Virginia and Shenandoah University, and hosts an Adventures in Learning podcast that explores connections between picture books and STEAM.

Methodology
This workshop offers multiple engagement opportunities, including experiential and collaborative learning practices. Participants will have the opportunity and are expected to be active participants in the discussion, both within the small and large group formats, reflecting on their own educational journey and classroom observations.

Target Audience
Teachers, counselors, administrators, and other school staff that support students ages 3-8.

Fees

1 person: AUD1190.00/person
2 to 4 person: AUD1090.00/person
5 person & more: AUD890.00/person

Venue
Gold Coast, Australia (exact location to be advised)
Information on Entering Australia Requirements

Other Details
Duration: 2 days, 12 hours
Closing Date:  1 Apr 2024

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