STEM Sparks: Playful Learning on a Budget

This course empowers early childhood teachers to see STEM through the lens of everyday play. Participants will discover how children’s interactions with simple, inexpensive materials spark foundational STEM skills, such as problem-solving, pattern recognition, measurement, and cause-and-effect reasoning. (5 Hours)
Enrollment expires 1 year from date of purchase.
This online course is presented in English.

Interested in this course? Email us at [email protected]

Course Agenda

1. Pre-Assessment
  FREE PREVIEW
1. STEM in Early Childhood Classrooms
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Early Learning Math Goals
  FREE PREVIEW
3. Early Learning Science Goals
4. Building Scientific Vocabulary for Children
5. Reporting Data as a Foundational Science Skill
6. Chapter 1 Review
7. Chapter 1 Reflection
1. Early Learning Engineering and Technology Goals
2. The Role of Technology in Early Childhood Classrooms
3. Promoting Social Development Through Technology
4. Chapter 2 Discussion
1. Incorporating STEM Through Play
2. The Importance of Time for Exploration
3. Incorporating STEM Through Spontaneous Experiences
4. Chapter 3 Review
5. Chapter 3 Reflection
1. When and Where to Incorporate STEM Concepts
2. STEM Everywhere: Beyond “Math Day” and the Science Center
3. Conversation Prompts That Spark STEM Thinking
4. Chapter 4 Review
5. Chapter 4 Reflection
1. STEM in Early Childhood: Addressing Cost Concerns
2. Investing in Versatility
3. Repurposed Resources for Early Childhood STEM
4. Examples of Repurposed Items and Classroom Applications
5. Safety, Hygiene, and Accessibility Considerations
6. Family and Community Engagement
7. Chapter 5 Review
8. Chapter 5 Reflection
1. Free and Found Resources
2. Household Items and Recyclables
3. Inexpensive Resources for STEM
4. Generating New Ideas for Classroom Resources
5. Chapter 6 Review
6. Chapter 6 Reflection
1. Suggested Materials for STEM Activities
2. Seriation Activities with Straws
3. Sorting and Classifying Straws
4. Exploring Scientific Principles with Straws
5. Bubble Exploration with Straw Wands
6. Bubble-Based "Pop Art"
7. Super Bubble Blowers with Straw-and-Yarn Wands
8. Constructing the Straw-and-Yarn Wand
9. Structured Inquiry and Experimental Design
10. Chapter 7 Review
1. Animal Figures as STEM Learning Tools
2. Mathematical Play with Animal Figures
3. Bingo Game with Farm Animals
4. Reinforcing Scientific Concepts
5. Chapter 8 Review
1. Sticky Notes as Tools for STEM and Literacy
2. Sequencing and Seriation
3. Games-Based Learning: Secret Sticky Note Game
4. Chapter 9 Review
1. Wooden Blocks as Foundations for STEM Exploration
2. Unitizing, Fractions, and Part–Whole Reasoning
3. Light, Color, and Shadow Investigations with Props
4. Engineering Exploration in the Preschool Classroom
5. Chapter 10 Review
1. Cardboard Tubes as Versatile Materials for STEM Learning
2. Sensory Table Investigations: Flow, Absorption, and Cohesion
3. Block Area Integration: Structures, Tunnels, and Strength
4. Material Properties and Durability: Degradation and Reinforcement
5. Using Tubes as Binoculars for Observation
6. Chapter 11 Review
1. Lidded Containers as Tools for STEM Learning
2. Show-and-Share Boxes and Collection Jars
3. Mini Science Observatories and Bug Jar
4. Chapter 12 Review
1. Plastic Bottles as Materials for STEM Learning
2. Sensory Bottles: Designing Focused, Observable Systems
3. Bubble Blowers from Bottles
4. Terrariums and Classroom Farms
1. Handout
2. Wrapping Up the Course
3. End of Course Reflection
4. Course Completion
5. End of Course Quiz
6. Course Feedback Form

About this course

$47.50
5 Clock Hours
All Approved States
All Ages

STEM Sparks: Playful Learning on a Budget

Course Agenda

Getting Started

Before we begin...

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Wrapping it Up

About this course