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What you will learn in a Human Body Workshop
In this interactive workshop, you will 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. We may look quite different on the outside, but underneath our skin, our organs, muscles, and bones are working in very similar ways.
By the end of this workshop, you will know how to support children with their questions about the human body, playfully include scientific models into your practice, and teach the outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework through the exciting topic of the human body. Activities may include:
- Create a conceptual model of the digestive system.
- Compare your breath when singing and see how long you can hold a tone.
- Investigate what is inside our bodies and create your own personal body map.
- Build a functional model showing how lungs expand and collapse with each breath.
- Examine the function of skeletons, bones, and vertebrae and the skeletal muscle holding everything together.
- Compare and analyse fingerprints and see how unique they really are.
- Analyse the features of the human body and how we are all different yet the same.
- Explore your sense of taste and discover the individual areas in your mouth specific to each taste (e.g. bitter, salty, and sweet).
Pedagogical topic: Scientific models in early childhood
The human body provides a captivating topic through which to explore the pedagogical subject of scientific models in early childhood. By attending this workshop, you will learn about the benefits of using and making scientific models in an early childhood setting and be supported to build a practical portfolio of age-appropriate experiences involving the human body and scientific models. You will also gain the ability to:
- Use different types of scientific models effectively in an early childhood setting.
- Understand why and how to evaluate models with children in age-appropriate ways.
- Learn how to scaffold children’s interest in anatomy and their perception of identity.
- Be aware of the characteristics and purpose of structural models and functional models.
- Compare how inspirational materials can give rise to a diverse array of interpretations.
- Learn how to critically review models and designate their appropriate usage in their specific setting.
STEM learning outcomes
This STEM workshop will provide you with the following learning outcomes through the specific lens of the human body:
- Uncover how early education can foster children’s metacognitive development.
- The confidence to tap into, guide, and focus children’s natural interests and abilities.
- Understand the important role of inquiry-based learning and co-construction in early education.
- The confidence to pass on your new knowledge and skills to your colleagues and to become a STEM champion in your service.
- Learn how communication, reflection, and questioning can enhance children’s ability to think about their own learning.
- Exchange ideas and experiences with other like-minded educators and reflect on your current practice.
- Receive comprehensive topic-specific materials with educational STEM ideas and information about inquiry-based practices.
Who should do this course?
This workshop is designed for all early childhood educators and teachers, as well as educators with managerial responsibilities. No prior STEM knowledge required.
Something to think about before the workshop:
- Have I worked with scientific models before and if so, how?
- What questions related to the human body have the children in my setting had lately?
Explore more in-person STEM workshop topics:
STEM in-service PD
Don’t see a workshop near you? Book an in-service workshop to immerse your team in hands-on inquiry-based STEM learning without leaving your service.
- Aligns with the EYLF, NQF, and APST.
- Hands-on and interactive.
- Focuses on implementation into practice.
- Uses low-cost, everyday items.
- Provides opportunities to exchange with like-minded people.
- Contains practical and reflective phases.
- Supported by the Australian Government.
