Course description - Learning outcomes

Course Overview / Description / Synopsis: It is important for preschool children to be involved in science education, regarding content and process. Children naturally enjoy observing and thinking about nature. Children’s involvement in science education nurtures positive attitudes towards them. Science education is an effective tool for cultivating scientific and hands-on skills, as well as scientific thinking.

Course Contents : The framework of the activities focuses on the following issues:
(a) learning theories in Science Education;
(b) the aspects of natural phenomena appropriate for preschool age (bad and good heat conductors, melting, freezing, gasification, liquefaction, evaporation, thermal contraction and thermal expansion, light, shadows, colours, magnetic properties of materials, friction, the earth as celestial body, day/night cycle, etc.);
(c) children’s difficulties about concepts and phenomena of the natural world.

Course Objectives/Goals:
• The development of scientific skills in young children.
• Design and evaluation of educational interventions and science teaching materials in early years.
• Science, interdisciplinary approaches.
• Scientific literacy and preschool education: science as a cultural product.