Optics STEM workshop

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.

About this workshop

During this workshop, you will uncover the potential of inquiry projects for children’s development in interactive and hands-on ways. Learn how to maximise children’s participation in the decision-making process and how to foster the collaborative and innovative spirit of your group.

You will explore common concepts of colours, mirrors and shadows and develop ideas for scaffolding children’s learning while gaining a basic understanding of visual perception.

By the end of this workshop, you will be equipped with a portfolio of ideas for inquiry projects and will have a sound understanding of the structure and purpose of projects in early childhood education.

This workshop aligns with the principles, practices and outcomes of the EYLF, NQF and the Australian Curriculum.

Topic description

This STEM learning opportunity will help you:

discover the potential of inquiry projects for effective practice in early childhood education
create a stimulating environment for children to support the collaborative and innovative spirit of your group
collect ideas for inquiry projects that scaffold children’s learning and development
explore children’s concepts of colours, mirrors and shadows
understand the fundamentals of visual perception
benefit from the exchange with like-minded educators and reflect on your current practice
feel confident in unlocking the wonders of STEM

You will also receive comprehensive materials with lots of STEM ideas and information about inquiry-based practices.

Who should do this course?

This workshop is designed for early childhood educators and teachers, educational leaders and leaders with managerial responsibilities.

There are no prerequisites for this STEM Optics workshop. Prior STEM knowledge is not required.

Something to think about before the workshop:

What was my role during previous projects?
How did the project start and what did the children learn?

Feedback from previous Optics workshops

What I enjoyed most about the Optics workshop was that it was very hands on. The small group collaborative learning allowed us to explore light, colour and shadows together through different activities, and then discuss our investigations in a relaxed and friendly environment. At the end of the workshop I felt inspired and excited to bring back some new ideas to the centre. A big Thank You to our wonderful and helpful trainers Brooke and Gemma! Belinda, Optics workshop