Read about the fun and learning we have with STEM in our centre.
What is STEM?
Science: Children exploring the world by experimenting, cause and effect and asking questions.
Technology: Children exploring and using simple tools such as cameras, tablets, magnifying glasses and even measuring cups to gain a greater understanding of the world around them.
Engineering: Children design and build things using recycled materials, blocks and loose parts to create visions or recreate pictures.
Mathematics: Children develop early maths skills through counting, sorting, patterns, puzzles, and comparing sizes in play.
The area of STEM that was explored in our pre-school unit is Science, using recycled tissues, food colouring and water. The children were able to see the mixture of colours as the food colouring ran through the tissues and they could see the magic of the colours creeping up the tissue and the awe of it travelling into the cup next door.
The teachers also got to see, hear and feel the fun and magic of this experiment. STEM links strongly to the New Zealand school curriculum because it builds the foundation skills for thinking and curiosity that support the power of lifelong learning.
STEM also helps to support BestStart's Set for School programme that we run in our centre in all that we do. Feel free to come and see how we do STEM within our amazing centre.