STEM Workshop
TOPICS
Little Scientists runs in-person and in-service workshops across Australia that are hands-on, play based, and explore 10 pedagogy-based STEM workshop topics.
Workshops are specifically designed for early childhood educators and teachers and are aligned to the NQF, EYLF and the APST. We are supported by the Australian Government and provide tickets at the not-for-profit rate of $215pp.
Browse our in-person STEM workshop topics:
Acoustics
+ Peer group learning
Delve into the world of everyday sounds in this stimulating workshop and explore the presence and absence of sound, create your own sound maker, and tell a sound story. Through the topic of acoustics, we will also uncover the pedagogical topic of peer group learning in co-constructed environments and reflect on the educator’s impact on group dynamics.
Air
+ Metacognition in early childhood
Could you squash a plastic bottle without ever touching it? In this interactive workshop, explore why air is so much more than ‘nothing’ and dive into the fascinating pedagogical topic of metacognition in early childhood. Engage in hands-on activities such as using air to submerge a submarine and catching as much air as possible in a soap bubble.
Chemical Reactions
+ Language development
Explore the fascinating relationship between chemical reactions and language development in early childhood in this interactive workshop. Learn to recognise chemistry in children’s everyday lives, find opportunities for age-appropriate chemical exploration, and create rich learning experiences by participating in activities such as aerating chocolate and experimenting with dancing grapes.
Computer Science
+ Early computational thinking
Immerse yourself in the world of computer science and playfully explore how to engage children in algorithms, sequencing, and sorting — without the need for computers — and gain expertise in the pedagogical topic of early computational thinking. Develop your skills and confidence in building the education robot Bee-Bots into your practice in this newly revised workshop.
Design & Technologies
+ Early computational thinking
In this thought-provoking workshop, learn to engage children in technical learning through design, production, investigation, and analysis and foster children’s technical competence. Discussions and activities will see you explore technical inventions of the past, optimise present-day technology, and use your creativity to design sustainable solutions for the future.
Engineering
+ Early technical education
Delve into the impact of physical forces through leveraging, lifting, swinging, and moving and unleash your inner engineer. Find out your engineering type – an analyst, experimenter, maker, or inventor — and, thinking about the different types of children in in your service, discover how to playfully integrate technical education into a nurturing learning environment.
Human Body
+ Scientific models in early childhood
Learn to see the human body through the eyes of a child by investigating your sense of smell, breath, and many other exciting functions of the human body. Develop your skills to support children with their questions about the human body and playfully include scientific models in your practice through activities such as creating a personal body map and comparing fingerprints.
Mathematics
+ Pattern recognition
In this hands-on workshop, immerse yourself in creative maths experiences, learn to identify opportunities for maths exploration in the everyday, and develop your confidence and enthusiasm for engaging children in this essential topic. Experience the beauty of maths unfold in familiar patterns, shapes, and structures and discover the potential of play in the development of mathematical skills.
Optics
+ Inquiry projects in early childhood
In this interactive workshop, learn to appreciate the magic of colour, mirrors, and shadows through the eyes of a child and explore the pedagogy behind developing child-led inquiry projects in your service or classroom. Gain the confidence to develop and facilitate project work and create rich STEM learning experiences by engaging in activities such as making your own spying device.
Water
+ Co-constructed environments
Have you ever met a child who was not fascinated by water? This interactive workshop is Little Scientist’s foundational workshop to explore STEM through water and the critical pedagogical topics of co-construction, metacognition, and inquiry-based learning in early education. Explore activities such as hiding objects within bubbles and conducting the walking water experiment.
Testimonials
The workshop was brilliant. It was engaging, helpful and extended my knowledge of STEM.
Literally best PD ever!
Hands-on activities and opportunity for group discussion.
Hands-on, sharing with other teachers, link into Primary Connections.
Thank you! Very well run + highly met my expectations.
Loved all of it, it really broadens your thinking outside the box.
100% engaging, fantastic presenters and lots of time to discuss concepts and ideas.
Easy learning because it was hands on.
Got lots of ideas from this session which will help children to learn more about science experiments.
The hands on experiences were engaging and fitted in well with the other learning opportunities.
Really enjoyed the practical nature of the workshop – and the interaction with peers in similar roles and situations.
Who are workshops for?
Little Scientists workshops are for all early childhood educators, teachers, and students.
Whether you’re new to STEM or an early childhood STEM leader, our workshops are designed to meet you where you’re at and build your skills in delivering joyful STEM learning experiences.
The workshop was brilliant. It was engaging, helpful and extended my knowledge of STEM.
– Water workshop, ACT
Hands-on activities and opportunity for group discussion.
– Engineering workshop, WA
Accreditation Updates
The Water Workshop, Air Workshop, and Computer Science Workshop are NESA-accredited, with the remaining workshops to be accredited in early 2024. The Air, Optics, and Acoustics Workshops are TQI-accredited, with the remaining workshops to be accredited following NESA.
+ Philosophical inquiry in early childhood
Learn to engage children in technical learning through design, production, investigation, and analysis and foster children’s technical competence. Discussions and activities will see you explore technical inventions of the past, optimise present-day technology, and use your creativity to design sustainable solutions for the future.
Completing the STEM Design and Technologies educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.
+ Peer group learning
Delve into the world of everyday sounds with us in this stimulating workshop and explore the presence and absence of sound, create your own sound maker, and tell a sound story. Through the topic of acoustics, we will also uncover the pedagogical topic 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
Our Water Workshop is Little Scientists’ foundational workshop and we strongly recommend every educator attend this workshop. This is because the topic of water provides an effective vehicle through which to explore STEM and the pillars of the Little Scientists’ educational approach: co-construction, metacognition, and inquiry-based learning.
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
Immerse yourself in the world of computer science and playfully explore how to engage children in algorithms, sequencing, and sorting —without the need for computers — and gain expertise in the pedagogical topic of early computational thinking. In an increasingly digital society, this is an essential workshop for early years educators and will help you reframe digital technology as an exciting tool for learning, rather than as children’s passive entertainment.
Completing the STEM Computer Science educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.
+ Language development through STEM inquiry
Explore the fascinating relationship between chemical reactions and language development in early childhood, handle ‘dangerous materials’, and make a mess while experimenting with various substances. Learn to recognise chemistry in children’s everyday and find opportunities for age-appropriate chemical exploration that teach the outcomes of the EYLF.
Completing the STEM Chemical Reactions educator workshop will contribute 5 hours and 30 minutes of NESA Elective Professional Development.
+ Metacognition in early childhood
Could you squash a plastic bottle without ever touching it? Or break a ruler with a single sheet of newspaper? Come along to our much-loved Air Workshop to explore why air is so much more than ‘nothing’ and experience air through touch, sound and movement by making it perceptible to your senses. Uncover how communication, reflection and questioning enhance children’s ability to become confident life-long learners and dive into the fascinating pedagogical topic of metacognition in early childhood.
Completing this workshop will contribute 5 hours of ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registered PD.
+ Technical education
Children love to have fun with physical forces and to explore their effects. In this interactive workshop, dive into the impact of physical forces through leveraging, lifting, swinging, and moving and unleash your inner engineer. Find out your engineering type – an analyst, experimenter, maker, or inventor — and, thinking about the different types of children in in your service, 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
Appreciate the magic of colour, lights, and optical illusions through the eyes of a child and explore the land of mirrors, colourful shadows, and nature’s paint palette. Ever wanted to run an inquiry-based project with the children in your service ? Learn the pedagogy behind developing child-led inquiry projects, discover the empowering impact of project involvement, and gain confidence to facilitate project work.
Completing this workshop will contribute 5 hours of ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registered PD.
+ Mathematical reasoning
In this hands on workshop, develop your confidence in engaging children in mathematics and discover the potential of play in the development of mathematical skills. Experience the beauty of maths unfold in familiar patterns, shapes, and structures, immerse yourself in creative maths experiences, 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
Learn to see the human body through the eyes of a child by investigating your sense of smell, breathing, and many other exciting bodily functions. Learn about the benefits of using scientific models in the early childhood setting and build a practical portfolio of age-appropriate learning experiences involving the human body and scientific models.
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.
