This edited book provides an overview of unstructured and structured play scenarios crucial to developing young children’s awareness, interest, and ability to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in informal and formal education environments. The key elements for developing future STEM capital, enabling children to use their intuitive critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and promoting active citizenship and a scientifically literate workforce, begins in the early years as children learn through play, employing trial and error, and often investigating on their own.
Forty-seven STEM experts come together from 16 countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, and the USA) and describe educational policies and experiences related to young learners 3–4 years of age, as well as students attending formal-nursery school, early primary school, and theearly years classes post 5 years of age.
The book is intended for parents seeking to provide STEM activities for their children at home and in playgroups, citizen scientists seeking guidance to provide children with quality educational activities, daycare practitioners providing educational structures for young children from birth to formal education, primary school teachers and preservice teachers seeking to teach preschool, kindergarten or children typically aged 5–8 years old in grades 1–3, as well as researchers and policy makers working in science didactics with small children.
Author Biography:
Sue Dale Tunnicliffe, Ph.D., is a zoology graduate from Westfield College, Uof L, (PGCE IOE 1968). She taught all ages and was Head of Education at the Zoological Society of London. Her Ph.D. is from King’s College, London (1995). She is currently a Reader in Science Education at UCL Institute of Education. She supervises Ph.D., D.Ed. and master’s degree students. She was awarded the NSTA’s Faraday Award for Science Communication (USA) in 2016. She has published widely through papers and articles.
Teresa J. Kennedy, Ph.D., holds a joint appointment as Professor of International STEM Education in the College of Education and Psychology and in the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Tyler, USA. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Idaho (1998). Prior to her position at UT Tyler, she served on the management team of NASA’s GLOBE Program for over 10 years (2001–2012). She has taught students of all ages, preK to doctoral studies, and has published widely.
