3.00 Credits
The teacher candidate is introduced to how science, technology, engineering, creative arts, and mathematics (STEAM) skills develop in children between infancy and age 5 and how to support and assess this development. The candidate will research, plan, and lead small group STEAM activities with children in pre K settings. These activities will be planned according to the Project Approach, based on the interests of the young children as well as the National STEM and Creative Arts Standards, NAEYC Standards and PA Early Learning Standards. The Project Approach involves 3 phases: Discovery, Investigation, and Conclusion; candidates will gain experience in using this cross-curricular approach to contextualize STEAM concepts and to create meaningful learning experiences for their young students. Additionally, this course views children as individuals who are socially and culturally situated, and as such identity and culture will be valued and included as part of the instructional planning, activities, and assessment.