Five ACT preschools have been chosen to take part in a national pilot program to introduce preschoolers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) practices.
Designed and run by researchers at the University of Canberra, the Early Learning STEM Australia (ELSA) program has been designed to encourage children to play, experiment and make sense of the world around them by asking questions and making predictions.
Director of the University’s STEM Education Research Centre (SERC), Tom Lowrie said encouraging preschoolers to have fun and gain familiarity with these underlying practices was the key to the initiative.
“ELSA is building on children’s inquisitive nature, enhancing play with learning opportunities and giving educators the tools to capitalise on these learning opportunities,” Professor Lowrie said.
“We want to open up a new way for children to understand the world around them through STEM.”
He said the ELSA pilot involved 100 preschool services Australia wide, more than 300 educators and more than 4,000 preschoolers.
“We are creating six digital apps: four are for preschoolers, but we also have an app for educators and one for families,” Professor Lowrie said.
He said the apps struck a balance between play-based learning and intentional teaching.
“In fact, we estimate that about 80 per cent of preschoolers’ engagement with ELSA will be off-app STEM play, and only 20 per cent of children’s experience will be app-based,” Professor Lowrie said.
Senator for the ACT, Zed Seselja said ELSA was backed by a $6 million Federal Government grant, and engagement with STEM from an early age would help develop problem-solving skills that could set children up for life.
“This program will be a launch pad for a lifelong interest in STEM for ACT preschoolers,” Senator Seselja said.
“This will help plant the seeds of curiosity and inspiration in STEM from an early age and help with the development of spatial awareness as well as numeracy and problem-solving skills.”
The ACT preschools taking part are Bonython Primary School Preschool Unit, St Thomas Aquinas Early Learning Centre, Holy Trinity Early Learning Centre, Canberra Girls Grammar School Early Learning Centre and Yerrabi Ponds Early Learning.
