RESEARCH PAPER
Project-Based Inquiry in STEM Teaching for Preschool Children
 
More details
Hide details
1
National Pingtung University, TAIWAN
 
2
University of Ottawa, CANADA
 
 
Publication date: 2022-03-13
 
 
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2022;18(4):em2093
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
This study explored the research question: How can project-based inquiry (PBI) in STEM teaching be designed, planned, and implemented in two preschool settings? A case study was conducted, using a collaborative action research approach. This research was conducted with 11 teachers and 300 children from 11 classes at two preschools in Taiwan. The data sources included research logs, observations, interviews, and documents. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively (e.g., iterative coding). The results indicate that PBI in STEM teaching can be integrated successfully into preschool curricula. Children can engage enthusiastically in STEM activities in a well-planned learning environment. We provide some suggestions for readers who have an interest in STEM teaching or research at the preschool level.
REFERENCES (42)
1.
Akturk, A. A., & Demircan, O. (2017). A review of studies on STEM and STEAM education in early childhood. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Kırşehir Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi [Ahi Evran University Kirsehir Education Faculty Journal], 18(2), 757-776.
 
2.
Auerbach, C., & Silverstein, L. B. (2003). Qualitative data: An introduction to coding and analysis. NYU Press.
 
3.
Chen, Y.-C., Hand, B., & Norton-Meier, L. (2017). Teacher roles of questioning in early elementary science classrooms: A framework of promoting student cognitive complexities in argumentation. Research in Science Education, 47, 373-405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165....
 
4.
Chin, C. (2007). Teacher questioning in science classrooms: Approaches that stimulate productive thinking. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 44(6), 815-843. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20....
 
5.
Chinn, C. A., & Malhotra, B. A. (2002). Epistemologically authentic inquiry in schools: A theoretical framework for evaluating inquiry tasks. Science Education, 86(2), 175-218. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.10....
 
6.
Cohen, L. E., & Waite-Stupiansky, S. (2019). STEM in early childhood education: How science, technology, engineering, and mathematics strengthen learning. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/978042....
 
7.
Colburn, A. (2000). An inquiry primer. Science Scope, 23(6), 42-44.
 
8.
Corlu, M. S., Capraro, R. M., & Capraro, M. M. (2014). Introducing STEM education: Implications for educating our teachers for the age of innovation. Eğitim ve Bilim [Education and Science], 39(171), 74-85.
 
9.
Crawford, B. A. (2000). Embracing the essence of inquiry: New roles for science teachers. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 37(9), 916-937. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-2...<916::AID-TEA4>3.0.CO;2-2.
 
10.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2017). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. SAGE.
 
11.
Dejarnette, N. K. (2018). Implementing STEAM in the early childhood classroom. European Journal of STEM Education, 3(3), 18-27. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejste....
 
12.
Dejonckheere, P. J., De Wit, N., Van de Keere, K., & Vervaet, S. (2016). Exploring the classroom: Teaching science in early childhood. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 8(4), 537-558. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-je....
 
13.
Dewey, J. (1997). How we think. Dover. https://doi.org/10.1037/10903-....
 
14.
Dubosarsky, M., John, M. S., Anggoro, F., Wunnava, S., & Celik, U. (2018). Seeds of STEM: The development of a problem-based STEM curriculum for early childhood classrooms. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-98....
 
15.
Early Childhood STEM Working Group. (2017). Early STEM matters: Providing high-quality STEM experiences for all young learners. University of Chicago STEM Education/Erikson Institute.
 
16.
Follari, L. (2015). Foundations and best practices in early childhood education: History, theories, and approaches to learning. Pearson Higher Education.
 
17.
Fredericks, B. & Kravette, J. (2014). STEM family activities workbook. https://www.bostonchildrensmus....
 
18.
Gelman, R., & Brenneman, K. (2004). Science learning pathways for young children. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 19(1), 150-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecre....
 
19.
Gelman, S. A. (2009). Learning from others: Children’s construction of concepts. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 115-140. https://doi.org/10.1146/annure....
 
20.
Gerde, H. K., Schachter, R. E., & Wasik, B. A. (2013). Using the scientific method to guide learning: An integrated approach to early childhood curriculum. Early Childhood Education Journal, 41(5), 315-323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643....
 
21.
Harlen, W. (2013). Inquiry-based learning in science and mathematics. Review of Science, Mathematics and ICT Education, 7(2), 9-33.
 
22.
Johnson, L., McHugh, S., Eagle, J. L., & Spires, H. A. (2019). Project-based inquiry (PBI) global in kindergarten classroom: Inquiring about the world. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(5), 607-613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643....
 
23.
Kawalkar, A., & Vijapurkar, J. (2013). Scaffolding science talk: The role of teachers’ questions in the inquiry classroom. International Journal of Science Education, 35(12), 2004-2027. https://doi.org/10.1080/095006....
 
24.
Kelley, T. R., & Knowles, J. G. (2016). A conceptual framework for integrated STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 3(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594....
 
25.
Krogh, S. L., & Morehouse, P. (2014). The early childhood curriculum: Inquiry learning through integration. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/978020....
 
26.
Kuteeva, M. (2020). Revisiting the ‘E’ in EMI: Students’ perceptions of standard English, lingua franca and translingual practices. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 23(3), 287-300. https://doi.org/10.1080/136700....
 
27.
MacDonald, A., Huser, C., Sikder, S., & Danaia, L. (2020). Effective early childhood STEM education: Findings from the Little Scientists evaluation. Early Childhood Education Journal, 48(3), 353-363. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-....
 
28.
National Research Council. (2011). Report of a workshop on the pedagogical aspects of computational thinking. The National Academies Press.
 
29.
National Research Council. (2012). A framework for K-12 science education: Practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas. National Academies Press.
 
30.
National Science Teachers Association. (2014). NSTA position statement: Early childhood science education. http://www.nsta.org/about/posi....
 
31.
NGSS Lead States. (2013). Next generation science standards: For states, by states. The National Academies Press.
 
32.
Ong, E. T., Aminah, A., Ibrahim, M. N., Adnan, M., Shariff, J., & Ishak, N. (2016). The effectiveness of in-service training of early childhood teachers on STEM integration through project-based inquiry learning (PIL). Journal of Turkish Science Education, 13(3), 44-58. https://doi.org/10.12973/tused....
 
33.
Ruiz-Primo, M. A., & Furtak, E. M. (2007). Exploring teachers’ informal formative assessment practices and students’ understanding in the context of scientific inquiry. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 44(1), 57-84. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20....
 
34.
Sahin, A., Ayar, M. C., & Adiguzel, T. (2013). STEM related after-school program activities and associated outcomes on student learning. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 14(1), 309-322. https://doi.org/10.12738/estp.....
 
35.
Saldaña, J. (2021). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. SAGE.
 
36.
Sanders, M. (2009). STEM, STEM education, STEMmania. The Technology Teacher, 68(4), 20-26.
 
37.
Sharapan, H. (2012). From STEM to STEAM: How early childhood educators can apply Fred Rogers’ approach. Young Children, 67(1), 36-40.
 
38.
Tippett, C. D., & Milford, T. M. (2017). Findings from a pre-kindergarten classroom: Making the case for STEM in early childhood education. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 15(1), 67-86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763....
 
39.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1980). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvj....
 
40.
Worth, K., & Grollman, S. (2003). Worms, shadows, and whirlpools: Science in the early childhood classroom. Heinemann.
 
41.
Wortham, S. C., & Hardin, B. J. (2015). Assessment in early childhood education. Pearson.
 
42.
Yin, R. K. (2015). Qualitative research from start to finish. Guilford.
 
eISSN:1305-8223
ISSN:1305-8215
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top