Preschool on campus gets first taste of Little Scientists
KU Kintaiba pre-schoolers at the University of Newcastle are the first in the region to have been given a taste of The Little Scientists initiative through the university's own SMART Program.
In a visit from The University of Newcastle’s SMART program last Thursday 25th February, Kintaiba students got messy with a number of activities, utilising household objects to help explain the science behind the elements of water and air.
The young minds were encouraged to get hands on in their learning to help initiate an interest in science to carry through with them to their further education.
The SMART program has joined forces with the Science and Engineering Challenge to create the Little Scientists Newcastle Network.
The Network is hosting the region’s first training workshop for educators on Monday 29th February at the University of Newcastle.
Kintaiba educator Malcom Puddlephatt will be one representative from 13 centres across the Hunter participating in Monday’s workshop.
“In the past I have done some science experiments, though I feel I lack the knowledge and inspiration to push students further. I feel this is a good opportunity to enhance students learning and my own practice.”
“It aligns with our centre’s philosophy, which is play based learning and having children learn without realising.”
The Federal Government is helping to equip children with skills in the STEM field through a $14 million investment as part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda. The Little Scientists training program has been allocated $4 million from this investment over the next three years.
Little Scientists Newcastle Network coordinator Sarah Pilgrim believes the program will help to invest in young student’s future education.
“With our changing workforce, it’s really important to get our kids excited and involved with STEM from a young age.”
Little Scientists is a not for profit initiative of FROEBEL Australia in cooperation with the Little Scientists House Foundation in Germany. Education and care services that work with children from 3 to 6 years of age are invited to join the program and become an accredited Little Scientists House.
For more information on the Little Scientist program please contact Sarah Pilgrim on 4921 787 or 04 7802 8163 or email sarah.pilgrim@newcastle.edu.au.
Contact
- Sarah Pilgrim
- Phone: 4921 7187
Related news
- Shanae’s passion for caring delivers her dream to work in health
- Food and nutrition degree serves Keren a rewarding career
- Kicking goals on and off the field, Joeli proves you can do it all
- Proving age is just a number, Arlyn wants to inspire more women in their 50s to pursue education
- Sky’s the limit for graduates on the Central Coast
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.