STEM Detectives Cover

STEM Detectives

Identifying and supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics in children's play

Children naturally engage in STEM in early childhood education as they play. Does play not involve observation, experimentation and investigation after all?

STEM Detectives is a practical guide for Australian early childhood educators to show them how to recognise STEM experiences in children's play and make the most of STEM play. The teaching resource offers advice about the role of adults, along with ideas for learning environments and STEM resources, to encourage problem-solving and creative thinking in play.

We endeavor to ship your order within 24 hours once placed, and delivery times are expected to be within 10-15 working days.

If you urgently need STEM Detectives, an ebook version is available and will give you immediate access.

Ages: 0-6 | Pages: 96 | Code: TS0299 | ISBN: 9781925145304

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Book (physical) - A good old fashioned printed book, ideal if you like the feeling of holding it in your hand as you flip through the pages. We will ship your books from our warehouse within 1-3 days.
Vital Source Ebook - You can read, highlight, annotate, create flashcards, and collaborate with colleagues and instructors via any web browser, or for offline access download the Vital Source Bookshelf App (Mac, PC, iOS & Android). The ebooks are available immediately and can be accessed via your filebox. Vital Source books have limited printing functionality.

Orders are normally dispatched within 1 to 3 business days. Goods are shipped by New Zealand Post or by local courier, depending upon the location, with a delivery expectation of 1 to 3 business days. We will email dispatch confirmation and tracking details.

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We are happy to supply orders from outside Australia and New Zealand. Orders will be dispatched by International Air which has delivery expectations of 3-21 business days depending upon your location.

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Picture of Niki Buchan

Niki Buchan

Niki Buchan is senior educational consultant with Natural Learning Early Childhood Consultancy and Real World Learning Consultancy. She has lived and worked in South Africa and Scotland and has been calling Australia home since 2011. Niki has a great love for the outdoors and has been working with both adults and young children in very consultative, naturalistic and sensorial environments both indoors and outdoors for more than 35 years.

She works internationally as a conference keynote speaker, nature pedagogue, mentor and author and has been invited to work in the UK, USA, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, South Korea, Norway, Denmark and South Africa.  Niki has developed a reputation as a strong advocate for children’s right to a high-quality childhood with a deep concern about children’s mental health and trauma. She trusts children as being capable and competent, including their ability to assess and take their own risks. Niki believes children have a right to regular access to nature and to have their voices heard in matters that affect them. She is considered a leading voice in promoting nature-based practice and is the author of Children in Wild Nature: A Practical Approach to Nature-based Practice and Adventurous Play: Developing Children’s Life Skills through Rich Play Experiences, and has a STEM book in the pipeline.

Niki is the mother of four adult children, an adventurer, keen photographer, seldom seen without a camera in her hand and is usually surrounded by children.

Picture of Bronwyn Cron

Bronwyn Cron

As an environmental scientist, Bronwyn is passionate about Education for Sustainability and connecting children and communities to their environment. She has spent 20 years working with schools, community groups, business and government to help them think differently; build skills and knowledge; and act towards a positive and sustainable future. Over the past 6 years, she has focused on building the capacity of early childhood educators and services to embed sustainability and support the development of STEM thinking skills in young children. She is passionate about making STEM accessible and engaging for everyone and fostering a love of STEM in children so that they are inspired by the possibilities of the future.

Contents

Acknowledgements4
1. Early childhood STEM5
2. STEM in play14
3. The adult role25
4. STEM for babies and toddlers32
5. STEM naturally40
6. Spaces to promote STEM thinking50
7. Construction59
8. STEM laboratories70
9. The language of STEM81
Bibliography94
Credits96