Teaching STEM outdoors: activities for young children

Machine generated contents note: What's in This Book?

How Do I Use This Book?

"Think STEM"

ch. 1 What Is STEM?

Integration Matters

STEM in the Early Years

STEM beyond the Classroom

STEM and the Achievement Gap

ch. 2 Why Kids Need Nature

The Role of Nature in Learning

The Benefits of Outdoor Time and Recess

How Nature Supports the Development of Soft Skills

Structured Play vs. Nature-Based Settings

Loose Parts as Elements for STEM Learning

ch. 3 An Overview of the STEM Disciplines

Science

Technology

Engineering

Math

ch. 4 Building on a Strong STEM Foundation

The Process of Inquiry

Observation and Inference

Consider Your Outcomes and the Children's Needs

ch. 5 Putting It All Together

Integrating the STEM Disciplines

Catalysts for Learning

Tools for Documenting Learning

Using Questions to Guide Learning

Using Materials to Spur STEM Thinking

Creating a Community of Curiosity

Conclusion

ch. 6 STEM Starts

Connecting to the Big Ideas

Crosscutting Concepts

STEM Starts.