Engaging the youngest audiences with STE(A)M
Despite the well-known awareness of the advantages of engaging children as young as primary school age with STEM/STEAM, a comparatively more limited effort is put into involving children who are even younger than that. Yet, caregivers with their babies and toddlers are (or can be) a healthy portion of the audience of a STEM/STEAM-promoting organisation equipped with a range of age-appropriate options. But how do we implement exploration and inquiry-based learning in activities for such a young target audience? In this reverse session we will explore different approaches from museums, science centres and outreach groups, before opening a discussion and a brainstorm on what makes a (very young) visitor experience entertaining, memorable, and educational.
Outcomes: what will participants get from this session? Skills, knowledge, experience etc.
- Delegates will weigh pros and cons of involving very young people in their programmes
- Examples will be showcased with eureka moments, successes and lessons learned
- Participants will discuss on overarching questions to consider when planning an event or a space aimed at preschoolers
- Ideas will be brainstormed on how to create the perfect event/project/activity for 0-5 years old
Facilitator
Leader of science explainer team
Session speakers
Senior Public Engagement Officer
Newcastle upon Tyne
United Kingdom
Life Science Centre hosts preschooler-friendly events alongside a permanent offer for under 7s on the exhibition floor. After the pandemic hiatus, Marilena has revamped the Preschool Days’ format looking more closely at Early Years’ cognitive development for a richer, more well-rounded experience. She will share the lessons learned from the first year of the new iteration, and the evolution of the rationale behind the choices regarding both Life’s permanent and event-specific activities.
Educator and Program Coordinator
In 2022, Tom Tits Experiment implemented the BabySTEM project funded by the Ideas for Life Foundation to engage parents and children (0-2 years) in the joy of discovery together. Parents and children came for themed visits to the science centre and took home ideas to continue science discovery on their own. In turn, we got valuable insight into ways we can better meet the needs of our youngest visitors. We look forward to sharing what we have learned and our plans moving forward with BabySTEM.
Project manager - education and museums
As Head of Education Federica conceives STEM activities in some Italian museums, such as Natural History Museum in Milan and the Children's Museum Verona. The ongoing challenge is the involvement of small children. From this year at the Natural History Museum we are introducing a pilot project for children: guided tours, workshops and readings. In this session it will be possible to have an overview and discuss together the possibilities of developing STEM activities for children in this context.
