Entry into Innovation: Engineering for Early Learners

Presenter Information

Courtney QuartermanFollow

Primary Presenter Brief Bio

Courtney Quarterman has over 15 years of experience delivering PD to elementary educators in Math and Science. She currently works for the Boston Museum of Science as a Senior PD Consultant and volunteers her time for local STEM organizations where she resides in Atlanta, GA. A true STEMinist at heart, completed her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry and her Masters of Education in K-14 Mathematics.

Type of Presentation

Workshop

Location

Session Two Breakouts: Room 2041

Topic Category

Strand 1: STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Targeted Age Group

0 1 2 3

Targeted Audience

Family Child Care, Child Care Center, Directors/Administrators, Early Intervention Providers, After-School Providers, Primary Grades

Brief Session Description

Are you an early childhood or early elementary educator with a passion for promoting the innovative thinking of our youngest learners? Examine the development of engineering practices for early learners through hands-on exploration and discuss how to foster engineering skills and critical-thinking for all young children.

Full Session Description

• In this session, we will examine the similarities and differences in age-appropriate engineering practices and design parameters for children at the preschool (ages 3-4), kindergarten (ages 5-6) and early elementary (ages 6-8) levels through discussion, exploration of materials, and observation of classroom video.
• The big ideas of engineering (exploring material properties, considering criteria and constraints, solving problems in context, evaluating success, and persisting through failure) should be approached differently across the age bands. Setting the context for engineering challenges in developmentally appropriate ways helps students view themselves as engineers. Thoughtful design of learning experiences leads to opportunities for building 21st century skills like collaboration and communication. Learn where to start and where your students are headed. Understanding an engineering learning progression will help you take advantage of every opportunity to reinforce engineering skills in your students and lay the groundwork for future problem solving.
• Participants will come away with an understanding of how to foster engineering skills in all young children through the design of developmentally appropriate activities and tips on how to put them into practice immediately.

Start Date

25-1-2020 1:15 PM

End Date

25-1-2020 2:45 PM