Author: Dani Brown | Publication: Victor Harbor Times | Published on: 6 November 2018
Original article: Little scientists encouraged at Encounter
Encounter Lutheran College’s Early Learning Centre coordinator Celeste Torok is proud that the centre has become a Little Scientists House.
Little Scientists promotes inquiry-based learning in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) programs in their early childhood service.
It promotes that young children are naturally inquisitive and want to explore and understand the world around them, and has a professional development program that taps into this curiosity and facilitates scientific discovery.
“To discover the joy of scientific research and STEM exploration, children will be provided with daily opportunities to discover the world and scientific phenomena in a nurturing and playful setting that boosts their confidence,” Celeste said.
“We believe this is best done by encouraging an inquiry-based and active learning environment, where our early childhood educators are learning mentors and the children undertake the actual learning, problem-solving, exploration and research themselves.”
Children attending Little Scientists Houses participate in innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities, and are encouraged to have fun and explore different topics with their educators.