ERIC Number: EJ1455324
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
STEAM Learning Centers: A Tool for Early Childhood Education
Tiffany N. Berman
Voices of Reform, v6 n1 Article 6 p106-119 2023
The demand for workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers is increasing in the United States. This increase has led to a growing urgency to implement STEM education in classrooms, including early childhood. STEM education is necessary to help students develop the skills to succeed in STEM careers. Integrating the arts within STEM, known as STEAM, encourages a developmentally appropriate method of STEM implementation with room for creative expression in early childhood classrooms. However, research has shown that many early childhood educators lack the confidence to develop and implement STEM/STEAM lessons. This article details how learning centers, a common element in preschool classrooms, can be used to introduce STEAM to students and educators with less stress. In addition, as educators gain experience implementing problem-based STEAM learning centers within the classroom, this may increase their confidence in using STEM overall.
Descriptors: STEM Education, Early Childhood Education, Learning Centers (Classroom), Discovery Learning, Classroom Design, Creativity, Self Efficacy
Nina B. Hollis Institute for Educational Reform. 421 North Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32723. Tel: 386-822-7081; Web site: https://www.voicesofreform.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: Teachers; Administrators
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A