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STEM workshops

We have ten engaging, play-based STEM workshops. If the inquiry-based learning approach is new to you, may we suggest completing Water as one of your first workshops. 

Good to know

STEM workshops by topic

+ Philosophical inquiry in early childhood

Design and Technologies STEM workshop icon - Cogs

Use your inventiveness and creativity to address real needs and thoughtfully design technologies for the future. 

Explore technical inventions of the past, optimise present-day technology and design sustainable solutions for the future. Appreciate the relevance of technology education for children’s understanding of the world and encourage their creativity and innovative spirit.

Completing the STEM Design and Technologies educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.

+ Peer group learning

Fizz, crackle, crash, boom, bang; delve into the world of everyday sounds. 

Explore the presence and absence of sound, create your own sound maker and tell a sound story. Emphasise the potential of peer group learning in co-constructed environments and reflect on the educator’s impact on group dynamics.

Completing this workshop will contribute 5 hours of ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registered PD.

+ Early STEM in co-constructed environments

Have you ever met a child who is not fascinated by water? From ice blocks to raindrops, children love to explore water from an early age.

Explore water with all your senses, investigate the different aggregate states and test the solubility of various substances. Discover how to create a nurturing learning environment through STEM inquiry with reflection on your current practice.

Completing the STEM Water educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.

Completing this workshop will contribute 5 hours of ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registered PD.

+ Early computational thinking

Learn the foundations of computational thinking and how to “speak to a computer” by understanding how it works.

Immerse yourself in the world of computer science and playfully explore algorithms, sequencing and sorting without using computers. Understand the basic concepts of computational thinking and learn how to unlock the world of computers for children.

Completing the STEM Computer Science educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.

+ Language development through STEM inquiry

Uncover the world of chemical reactions by exploring different substances and make a mess experimenting with carbon dioxide.

Discover chemistry in everyday life, handle ‘dangerous materials’, make a mess while experimenting with carbon dioxide and explore the properties of white substances. Learn how children’s language development can be enhanced through STEM inquiry.

Completing the STEM Chemical Reactions educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.

Air

+ Metacognition in early childhood

Bring fresh air into the room, catch soap bubbles and learn that air is so much more than ‘nothing’.

Experience air through touch, sound and movement. Discover that air is so much more than ‘nothing’ by making it perceptible to your senses. Uncover how communication, reflection and questioning enhance children’s ability to become confident life-long learners.

Completing this workshop will contribute 5 hours of ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registered PD.

+ Technical education

Swinging, running, jumping, falling: Physical forces are all part of the fun and children love to explore their effects.

Explore physical forces while leveraging, lifting, swinging and moving and unleash your inner engineer. Are you an inventor or do you like to immerse yourself into step-by-step instructions? Discover how to playfully integrate technical education into a nurturing learning environment.

Completing the STEM Engineering educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.

Completing this workshop will contribute 5 hours of ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registered PD.

+ Inquiry projects in early childhood

Enjoy a day full of lights, colours and optical illusions. Explore the land of mirrors, colourful shadows and nature’s paint palette.

Appreciate the magic of colour, mirrors and shadows through the eyes of a child. Discover the empowering effects of child-led inquiry projects in early childhood and become immersed in your own inquiry project.

Completing this workshop will contribute 5 hours of ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registered PD. 

+ Mathematical reasoning

Experience the wonder of mathematics hidden in everyday patterns, shapes and structures. Fall in love with shapes and space.

Watch the beauty of mathematics unfold in everyday patterns, shapes and structures and discover the potential of play for the development of mathematical skills. Discover mathematics in the everyday and explore your own relationship with maths.

Completing the STEM Mathematics educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.

+ Scientific models in early childhood

We may look quite different on the outside, but underneath our skin, our organs, muscles and bones are working in very similar ways.

Investigate your sense of smell, focus on your breath and explore exciting functions of the human body. See the human body through the eyes of a child and learn how to playfully include scientific models into your setting.

Completing the STEM Human Body educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.

Completing this workshop will contribute 5 hours of ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registered PD.

Testimonials
Extended STEM knowledge The workshop was brilliant. It was engaging, helpful and extended my knowledge of STEM.
Water workshop, ACT
Best PD
Literally best PD ever!
Human Body workshop, VIC
Hands-on activities
Hands-on activities and opportunity for group discussion.
Engineering workshop, WA
Primary connections
Hands-on, sharing with other teachers, link into Primary Connections.
Engineering workshop, WA
Met expectations +
Thank you! Very well run + highly met my expectations.
Water workshop, NSW
Loved all of it
Loved all of it, it really broadens your thinking outside the box.
Engineering workshop, Thurgoona
100% engaging
100% engaging, fantastic presenters and lots of time to discuss concepts and ideas.
Water workshop, Wilcannia
Great, fun evening
Easy learning because it was hands on.
Taster workshop, NSW
Lots of ideas
Got lots of ideas from this session which will help children to learn more about science experiments.
Johnathon, Melbourne
Self discovery
Encouraged self-discovery in the journey of learning.
Optics workshop, NSW
So excited
Fantastic and so excited to start implementing inquiry more in my classroom.
Air workshop, WA
Guiding questions
Hands-on experiences, guiding questions so we knew what/how to investigate.
Air workshop, WA
Very well run
Thank you! Very well run + highly met my expectations.
Water workshop, NSW
Amazing
This workshop was amazing!
Optics workshop, Baccus Marsh
Hands on
The hands on experiences were engaging and fitted in well with the other learning opportunities.
Water workshop, ACT
Great space
Great space for colleagues to discuss the role of STEM in their own programs/organisations.
Engineering workshop, Carlton
Practical / peer interaction
Really enjoyed the practical nature of the workshop – and the interaction with peers in similar roles and situations.
Mathematics workshop, Brisbane
Exceptional service
Hayley provided exceptional customer service and explained the topics and concepts extremely well.
Computer Science, Sydney
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