Little Scientists Australia’s Post

An interesting video produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in 1997 about the need for educational reform led me to think that this need is still not met. Here are some notes I have taken on the video (first 30 minutes) regarding education—both learning and teaching. 1️⃣ Students have a "mind of their own" and may already have strong beliefs about the subject* before they are taught. 2️⃣ This means that combining 'hands-on experience' and 'heads-on experience' (thinking) may not be enough for teachers to guide students in learning. 3️⃣ They still may not learn if teachers do not address their prior thoughts and false beliefs on a concept*. 4️⃣ Fundamental understanding of a concept is what is missing most of the time. 🔎 As educators, it is important to consider that what is taught is not necessarily what students learn or understand and design courses accordingly. *the subject and concept taught refer to science topics in the video and this post. I’d like to express my appreciation to the STEM Workshop team at Sabanci University for introducing me to the video 😊 If you are interested, watch the video below, and feel free to add your additional points/opinions in the comments. Reference link: https://lnkd.in/dXR8Hzz4 Video name: Can We Believe Our Eyes?

The man standing to my right is nothing short of a superstar. I first read about Stavros Louca 19 years ago, when he performed the heroic act of stopping a subway train that had caught fire just before it left the station. That alone was an extraordinary story as an everyday hero, but it turned out his true greatness lay in his profession. Stavros was a high school mathematics teacher in a suburban area outside of Stockholm, where school performance had consistently been way below the national average. In some years, fewer than half of the students qualified for gymnasium, the next level of the Swedish school system. Yet, Stavros somehow managed to achieve incredible results with his students year after year. His math students consistently earned top scores on national exams and even won national math competitions. These achievements would be remarkable anywhere, but they were especially so in this school. His students' success got me to start thinking about the school system and what could possibly be done differently. This sparked the idea for a potential TV format: what if we could find seven other teachers of his caliber and have them take over a real 9th-grade class in a "low-performing school"? After numerous challenges and setbacks, the team—consisting of Stavros, Igor Ardoris, Gunilla Hammar-Säfström, Magnus Helldén, Tony Kinberg, Christin Lund, Carolina Ohlsson, and Hariette Persson—transformed Class 9a at Johannesskolan in Malmö, into one of the top three performing classes in the country, as measured by national exams! One of my hopes for the show was to open up classrooms and showcase the different teaching styles and methods of these exceptional teachers to a broader audience, sparking a conversation about what actually makes a great teacher. Aside from deep knowledge within each field, high expectations, both of their own abilities and their students’, were a common thread. As any leader in any field, the eight amazing teachers in the show instilled confidence in their students, provided structure and the right tools, making sure each one understood they had massive potential. Fortunaley, we also managed to assemble a team of absolute superstars in the TV crew and everyone involved went above and beyond to make the show into what it became. Later this fall, SVT, the commissioning network, will air a follow-up series on what has happened with the students 16 years later. The original series played a role in the national debate about how to improve the school system. One outcome of that debate was the introduction of the "first teacher" system. As with any project, there were plenty of obstacles along the way, but in the end, they were all worth it. And without the man standing beside me, there wouldn’t have been a series at all. So here’s looking at you, Stavros. To paraphrase Bogart, our first encounter turned out to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

EXPERIMENT: Support children to test the strength of teeth by playing with eggshells, which are covered in enamel just like our teeth! 🦷🦷🦷    Little Scientists developed this early STEM experiment for Play School Science Time to complement Season 3’s focus on the amazing body. Activity instructions here: https://lnkd.in/e4i-KAZa   In case you missed it: In 2024, Little Scientists partnered with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'s Play School Science Time to develop a suite of STEM experiments for Season 3 related to kitchen chemistry, space, and the human body. Here's how to get involved:     ▶️ Watch an episode of Science Time (each episode is 7 minutes)   ▶️ Check out the STEM experiments related to that episode.   ▶️ Run experiments with your children!     Full episode and activity list here: https://lnkd.in/e4i-KAZa   #STEMEducation #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EducationActivities #ECEC #EarlyLearning #EarlyLearningIdeas 

✨ With the 2024-25 Express Grant application open, we're excited to share more about past Express Grants In Action! "STEM Learning Through Play," a grant submitted by and awarded to Elmwood Elementary School teacher Jessica Alltop, funded the purchase of STEM materials for students to use during Discovery Time to enhance science learning experiences. "Elmwood Kindergarten students were ecstatic to receive the STEM activities," Alltop said. "Since the implementation of these new Science Discovery Time materials, students have been able to think deeper, build essential communication skills, and work collaboratively while using the marble run, magnets, balance scales, and microscopes." 🔗 Learn more about last year's Express Grants: https://lnkd.in/g5amBnTm. Naperville Community Unit School District 203 #Elevate203

Authentic, hands-on, child-led experiences are what makes STEM learning in early childhood come alive! Research shows that educators and caretakers often feel unsure of how to teach STEM for a variety of reasons- a lack of understanding about STEM concepts, STEM anxiety, and even lack of experience. However, research also shows that the best STEM learning happens through the process of inquiry- making observations, asking questions, and looking for the answers- together. That means you don't have to be an expert to teach science, you just have to have an open mind. What are your thoughts on STEM learning in early childhood?

Our Legacy Elementary scholars are exploring the world of STEM with a pop of excitement! 🧪💧 During this hands-on experiment, they mixed Alka-Seltzer and water in a sealed canister. The result? Well, let’s just say it was an uplifting experience! 🚀✨ Check out the video to see curiosity and chemistry combine—this is science learning at its most dynamic. What’s your favorite experiment that inspired a love for STEM? #STEMLearning #ScienceInAction #GreatOaksLegacy #EmpowermentThroughEducation

#DYK that today is National STEM/STEAM Day Igniting young minds with the magic of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, shaping innovators of tomorrow's world. Science. Technology. Engineering. Art. Mathematics. These spaces continue to grow at a rapid pace and they are strongly influential in changing the culture of the world. With the acronym STEM or STEAM (Art is a newer addition), these academic disciplines are often grouped together as they have strong similarities in education, policy, workforce and more. And National STEM/STEAM Day is what it’s all about.

Are you curious about how children as young as 3 can be engineers? Wondering why encouraging children and youth to think like engineers is so important? Check out this great interview with our EiE/YES founder and leader Christine Cunningham and WBUR Radio Boston. https://lnkd.in/eGGThKYR ...and download resources and curricula for free at yes.mos.org Museum of Science & YES- Youth Engineering Solutions #STEMlearning #creativethinking #problemsolving #STEMcurriculum

🚨New guest blog! "When you donate to Everyday Science and Science Support, you invest into future scientists, engineers, marine biologists, doctors, architects, and into families." Read more ⬇ https://lnkd.in/gkCGeuMd

The Grand Rapids Public Museum School (GRPMS) is redefining high school education with its innovative, place-based learning model—where the community becomes the classroom. 🌍 GRPMS educators design engaging, interdisciplinary learning experiences that connect students with community-driven projects. By integrating subjects like humanities, STEM, and electives into thematic units, students tackle real-world issues. Through design thinking and partnerships with local organizations, they create meaningful, lasting impact. Discover how this #XQSchool transforms education in the heart of its community: https://lnkd.in/geEYjqZh #EducationInnovation #PBL #RethinkHighSchool