Introduction to Early Learning STEM

This course will help you understand the essential foundations of STEM teaching and learning and provide opportunities to help build knowledge, skills and confidence to take on STEM in your early learning environment. You’ll learn:

• • • • What STEM is and how to use STEM to develop 21st Century learning skills in Early Learning education.
      • Where STEM fits within the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
      • How to identify examples of STEM in everyday play.
      • How to use STEM to develop curiosity and investigation.
      • Strategies for setting up STEM learning activities, including:
        • Learning spaces for play and interaction.
        • Learning spaces with an educator guiding the experience.
      • Features of a successful STEM learning space.

Download your course brochure here.

• Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners.

This course is mapped to the Professional Standards for Teachers. It is accredited for teacher professional development hours in the following states and territories:

Graduate Teacher – all states and territories
2.1.1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.5.1 Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
3.3.1 Include a range of teaching strategies.
3.4.1 Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.

Proficient Teacher – all states and territories
2.1.2 Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
2.5.2 Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.
3.3.2 Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.
3.4.2 Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.

Highly Accomplished Teacher – all states and territories except for NSW
2.5.3 Support colleagues to implement effective teaching strategies to improve students’ literacy and numeracy achievement
3.3.3 Support colleagues to select and apply effective teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem solving and Critical and Creative Thinking
3.4.3 Assist colleagues to create, select and use a wide range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.

    This course is accredited by TQI for 2 hours professional development for teachers in the ACT.

In NSW, Cool Australia is endorsed to provide NESA Registered Professional Development for teachers accredited at Proficient Teacher.

Tracey Gray is a Scientist and an experienced science classroom teacher and early learning educator. She is passionate about creating innovative programs that integrate STEM and STEAM techniques and promote creative thinking, curiosity and problem solving. Tracey loves working with teachers and early childhood educators to improve their teaching practice and build their confidence in teaching STEM.

Gabrielle Munro has worked in the education sector for over 12 years as a classroom teacher and tertiary educator of pre-service teachers. She loves working with teachers to develop practical teaching skills while challenging them to think creatively about how best to teach their students.