Play Through the Ages: STEAM Learning in the Early Childhood Classroom

Get ready to play! Using the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines and Early Learning Development Standards as a framework, you will discover how to design STEAM classroom centers and experiences across many ages. Engage in a study tour of relevant exhibit areas in the museum, looking specifically for STEAM learning concepts and thinking critically about differentiation.

 

What Do I Do With This? Flexible Thinking in ECE Classrooms

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It’s a BLOCK! Come with us on a hands-on exploration of the power of loose parts and designing diverse learning experiences with common materials. Engage in a study tour of relevant exhibit areas in the museum, identifying new ways to utilize loose parts in your classrooms.

 

Playing on Purpose: Intentional Planning and You

Straddling the line between process and product when designing a playful learning experience can be tricky. Practice adding intentionality to play while allowing space for creativity and spontaneity. You will also take a study tour of relevant exhibit areas in the museum while thinking critically about the variety of learning outcomes that could be achieved with intentional planning.

 

Play Like a Scientist: Executive Functioning and STEAM

What do scientists and children have in common? They both have to learn how to manage complex tasks, make plans, and carry out goals! Through STEAM learning as a lens, explore strategies to promote executive functioning skills in early childhood classrooms. Go on a study tour of relevant exhibit areas in the museum while finding opportunities to work on executive functioning skills.