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ECE 330: Math, Science and Technology for Young Children

Course Description

This course focuses on early mathematical and science content and concepts that are relevant to young children during the first five years of life. The course is designed to teach students effective strategies to recognize and promote mathematical development and science inquiry in all young children. Students will explore what mathematics and science looks like for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and learn specific ways to facilitate young children’s mathematical development. Students will practice what they are learning through a variety of assignments, including direct interactions with young children. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to identify opportunities for mathematics and science learning throughout the curriculum, observe and assess young children’s developing mathematical and science knowledge, plan experiences that focus on specific math and science concepts, and use a variety of strategies and materials to promote children’s interests and abilities in mathematics and sciences. The course also infuses the relevance of and best practices related to technology into its content.        (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education
  • ECE 210: Observation and Assessment in ECE Program
  • ECE 217: The Exceptional Learner
  • ECE 222: Curriculum for Young Children - Methods and Techniques or ECE 261: Infant / Toddler Care: Methods and Techniques
  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

  1. Define the fundamental aspects of a developmentally appropriate early childhood STEM curriculum.
  2. Identify national and local standards for science, technology, engineering, and math instruction and programming in early education settings.
  3. Recognize and explain the importance of creativity as foundational to inquiry-based integrated play based curriculum in science, technology, engineering, and math.
  4. Plan inquiry-based science, technology, engineering, and math experiences for children throughout an integrated, play-based curriculum.
  5. Develop intentional teaching strategies that teach for understanding by providing real world contexts in science, technology, engineering, and math.
  6. Identify appropriate individual child assessment methods in science, technology, engineering, and math learning.
  7. Apply nowledge of the role teacher in the planning of STEM curriculum and environments.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

50%

Assignments (Weeks 1-8)

50%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Moomaw, Sally (2013). Teaching STEM in the Early Years. Redleaf Press. 2nd edition.

Additional Resources

  • Cyber-Connections and other required reading will be provided in the course.

Course Schedule

WeekSLOsReadings and ExercisesAssignments

1

1

Topic: Welcome and Let Us Begin
  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 1
    • STEM Starts Early – Executive Summary, pp. 4-13
  • Complete Pre-Course Self Assessment
  • Review assigned materials
  • Engage with Cyber-Connections
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 1 -  Assignment: Reflect Essay - Personal Gifts and Challenges in STEM
  • Begin work on the Week 6 Integrated STEM Experiences assginment

2

2,3

Topic: Getting to HOT (Higher Order Thinking)- Creativity, and Critical Thinking
  • Read and Review:
    • Developing young children’s creativity: What can we learn from the research?
    • STEM Starts Early
    • Bloom's Taxonomy of Measurable Verbs
    • How to Increase Higher Order Thinking
    • Thinking Skills in the Early Years: A Guide for Practitioners
    • The Roots of STEM Success - Introduction
  • Review assigned materials
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Engage with Cyber-Connections
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Submit Week 2 - Assignment: Reflect Essay - Your National and Local STEM Standards
  • Continue to work on the Week 6 Integrated STEM Experiences assginment

3

4,5

Topic: STEM Thinking Begins in Infancy
  • Read and Review:
    • Let's Talk, Read and Sing About STEM! Tips for Infant/Toddler Teachers & Providers 
    • Let's Talk, Read and Sing About STEM! Tips for Families with Young Children 
    • The Roots of STEM Success – Introduction, pp. 7–11
  • Review assigned materials
  • Engage with Cyber-Connections
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 3 - Assignment: STEM is All Around – Evaluating Materials and Experiences for Infants and Toddlers
  • Continue to work on the Week 6 Integrated STEM Experiences assginment

4

3,4,5

Topic: Play and STEAM
  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 3, pp. 59-64
    • The Playwork Primer
    • Risky Play - Why Children Love It and Need It
    • Adventure - The Value of Risk in Children's Play
    • The Roots of STEM Success - Introduction , pp. 12-16
    • Let’s Read, Talk and Sing Tips for Preschool Teachers and Providers
  • Review assigned materials
  • Engage with Cyber-Connections
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 4 - Assignment: STEAM is All Around: Evaluating Materials and Experiences
  • Continue to work on the Week 6 Integrated STEM Experiences assginment

5

4,5

Topic: Strategies for Creating a STEAM-Rich Classroom Environment through Integrated Curriculum
  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 2, pp. 15-17
    • Collections - A STEM-Focused Curriculum, pp. 5-8, 10-11, 16-18, 24-25, 36-39
    • The Roots of STEM Success - Introduction, pp. 17-20
    • Facing the Screen Dilemma: Young Children, Technology and Early Education
  • Review assigned materials
  • Engage with Cyber-Connections
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 5 - Assignment: Designing a STEAM-Rich Learning Centers and Recognizing STEM-Rich Opportunities
  • Continue to work on the Week 6 Integrated STEM Experiences assginment

6

4,5

Topic: Implementing Classroom Investigations
  • Read and Review:
    • Child Care Tips - Observation
    • Revealing the Wrok of Young Engineers in Early Childhood Education
    • The Roots of STEM Success, pp. 21-26
    • Powerful Interactions Begin with You
  • Review assigned materials
  • Engage with Cyber-Connections
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 6 - Assignment: Integrated STEM Experiences: Implementing Classroom Investigations and Beyond

7

5,6

Topic: Week 7 - Assessing STEAM Learning and Making Home Connections
  • Read and Review:
    • The Roots of STEM Success, pp. 27-31
    • Let’s Talk, Read and Sing About STEM: Tips for Parents of Young Children
    • How To Teach Growth Mindset (4-week guide)
  • Review assigned materials
  • Engage with Cyber-Connections
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 7 - Assignment: STEAM at Home - Writing a Family Newsletter
8
7
Topic: Week 8 - Revisit, Review and Reflect – Finding the Teacher Within
  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 4, pp. 115-116
    • Chapter 7, pp. 187-189
    • The Perks of a Play in the Mud Educational Philosophy
    • Children and Nature Movement
    • Natural Wonders - A Guide to Early Childhood for Environmental Educators
    • The Roots of STEM Success, pp. 32-37
  • Review assigned materials
  • Engage with Cyber-Connections
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Submit Week 8 - Assignment: Final Reflection on the impact of this course on future teaching practice
  • Complete Post-Course Self Assessment
  • Complete the Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.