E-book STEAM

Peetri Kindergarten-Basic School (Estonia), Kindergarten "Zilvitis" (Lithuania), kindergarten "Spindulys" (Lithuania), private kindergarten bolu Maiss" (Latvia)

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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION USING STEAM APPROACH IN KINDERGARTEN

INTRUDUCTION

Peetri Kindergarten-Basic School is the municipal kindergarten in Harjumaa with 18 groups, to children from 2 to 7 years. In planning and managing teaching and educational work, teachers value creative freedom to choose between different methodologies and ways of work. Children are allowed to be active, experiment and experience for themselves. Teachers do not use ready-made workbooks and worksheets in learning activities.Estonian Education Strategy 2030 says: innovation and ICT must be applied to strengthen education systems, disseminate knowledge, ensure access to information, promote high-quality and effective learning, and provide services more efficiently. Peetri kindergarten goals are:

• children are creative and bold in expressing their ideas;
• children are socially mature and cope with everyday life;
• Children`s development is supported by the cooperation of institution staff and parents.

Teachers have a lot of opportunities to integrate technologycal tools (tablets, Interactive boards, robots) in everyday learning activities. Our teachers participate in different eTwinning and Erasmus+ projects and can learn ftom each other by sharing experiences. Teacher use STEAM approach in learnign activities as it helps to achieve institutional goals. The project "Kids go green STEAM" has improved our knowledge of this subject and encourage the teachers to use more technologycal tools.

It is written in the "Preschool education program of kindergarten "Spindulys" that, the STEAM approach develops children`s abilities in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Children`s knowledge in these disciplines is absorbed through practical experience, based on the promotion of the children`s creativity, contributes to the development of the children`s social development, as the child learns to share toys, exchange roles, and try new ways of doing things.Our kindergarten strategy for 2022-2024 provides:

• to supplement the environment with new tools for quality organization of the educationalm process: STEAM, inclusive education, physical activity, etc.;
• create a "Field Laboratory" for the various STEAM activities.

We made a commitmnet in the 2023 activity plan of our institution:

• improving children`s achievements in the field of experiental education using the STEAM method;
• participate in the activities of the international Nordplus Junior project "Kids create green STEAM" aimed at developing ecological education;
• to supplement the environment with new tools for the quality organization of STEAM education;
• to create conditions for 5-6 year old children to visit STEAM ceters and research laboratories.

"Peetri", Estonia

"Spindulys", Lithuania

INTRUDUCTION

Peetri Kindergarten-Basic School is the municipal kindergarten in Harjumaa with 18 groups, to children from 2 to 7 years. In planning and managing teaching and educational work, teachers value creative freedom to chose between different methodologies and ways of work. Children are allowed to be active, experiment and experience for themselves. Teachers do not use ready-made workbooks and worksheets in learning activities.Estonian Education Strategy 2030 says: innovation and ICT must be applied to strengthen education systems, disseminate knowledge, ensure access to information, promote high-quality and effective learning, and provide services more efficiently. Peetri kindergarten goals are:

• children are creative and bold in expressing their ideas;
• children are socially mature and cope with everyday life;
• Children`s development is supported by the cooperation of institution staff and parents.

Teachers have a lot of opportunities to integrate technologycal tools (tablets, interactive boards, robots) in everyday learning activities. Our teachers participate in different eTwinning and Erasmus+ projects and can learn from each other by sharing experiences. Teachers use STEAM approach in learnign activities as it helps to achieve institutional goals. The project "Kids go green STEAM" has improved our knowledge of this subject and encourage the teachers to use more technologycal tools.

It is written in the "Preschool education program of kindergarten "Spindulys" that, the STEAM approach develops children`s abilities in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Children`s knowledge in these disciplines is absorbed through practical experience, based on the promotion of the children`s creativity, contributes to the development of the children`s social development, as the child learns to share toys, exchange roles, and try new ways of doing things.Our kindergarten strategy for 2022-2024 provides:

• to supplement the environment with new tools for quality organization of the educationalm process: STEAM, inclusive education, physical activity, etc.;
• create a "Field Laboratory" for the various STEAM activities.

We made a commitmnet in the 2023 activity plan of our institution:

• improving children`s achievements in the field of experiental education using the STEAM method;
• participate in the activities of the international Nordplus Junior project "Kids create green STEAM" aimed at developing ecological education;
• to supplement the environment with new tools for the quality organization of STEAM education;
• to create conditions for 5-6 year old children to visit STEAM centers and research laboratories.

"Peetri", Estonia

"Spindulys", Lithuania

Kindergarten "Zilvitis" is a big school providing preschool and early education for pupils ages grom 1,5 to 7. Early education is carried out according to the individual preschool education program created by the school. Preschool education - according to the state program of Preschool education.There are 205 children in kindergarten in 2023. 19 teaachers and 5 supportive specialists work in the kindergarten. The main methods of education are gaming, experiental learning and drama. Children`s family members are encouraged to be involved in children`s education and other activities of the "Zilvitis" community. The activities of "Zilvitis" are open to all children and include children with different interests and abilities, from a variety of socioeconomic, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.Kindergarten "Zilvitis" aims to become a member of the European School STEM label network. The school works to make STEAM priority and routine in education by 2024. STEAM is included in the school`s strategic (2022-2025) and annual plans. The school organizes and participates in various STEAM projects, and teachers are encouraged to use STEAM methods in their activities. In 2022, the kindergarten has put together a STEAM team that brings together a variety of teachers who organize a variety of educational activities and projects involving parents.

"Zilvitis", Lithuania

Green thinking is one of the priorities of the private kindergarten "Ābolu maiss". Somatimes in the kindergarten, which is located in the very center of Riga, we have to be especially creative in order to provide children with the opportunity to feel, taste, understand and try what it means to "think and live green". It was the project "Kids go Green" and cooperation with colleagues from Estonia and Lithuania that helped implement several of our ideas. For example, during the project, we arranged green beds in our city kindergarten and grew our own lettuce and flowers, which we not only planted together, but also took care of them. Green thinking is also related to the cleanless of our surroundings, so we washed the windows and cleaned the kindergarten rooms together. This year we also implemented regular outdoor classes, thus spending as much time as possible in the fresh air. As part of the project, together with the children, we prepared soup from vegetables grown in the families, and tasting the homemade soup, of course. On the other hand, with various experiments, such as the "volcano of soda and vinegar", we told the children in a language they understand about the various chemical processes that take place in our environment.

"Ābolu maiss", Latvia

production of educational tools

FROM SECONDARY RAW MATERIALS AND NATURAL MATERIALS, WE PRODUCE EDUCATIONAL TOOLS THAT WE USE IN VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROCESS ACTIVITIES.

math challenge

children played the recycling game. They draw a map for robot Blue Bot from yesterday to tomorrow.Then the children told the others what they did yesterday, what they are doing today and what they are planning to do tomorrow. They could talk as long as robot was moving!

CHALLENGE OF THE MATHEMATICS

• CHILDREN USED PLASTIC BOTTLE CAPS. SORTED THEM BY COLOR, COMPERING AND ADDING.
• THE KIDS THEN CARRIED BOOTLE CAPS FROM A TO B USING THE CAMPER VAN (RUGGED ROBOT).
• THEN ADDITIONS AND SUBSTRACTIONS APPEARED INSIDE THE BOTTLE CAPS. CHILD TOOK THE CAP AND DID THE MATH, THEN USED BEEBOT OR BLUEBOT TO FIND THE CORRECT ANSWERE.
• THE KIDS ALSO MADE THE CRAFTED MARIONETS (ANIMALS).
• DURING THE FREE PLAY CHILDREN WERE PUTTING DOWN PICTURES AND SHAPES IN THE BOTTLE CAPS.

CONCEPT OF TIME ...

OUR MATATALAB TALE-BOT WAS ACTIVE ALL DAY. STARTED WITH BRAKFAST, VISITED A FRIEND, HAD A LUNCH, WENT TO THE STORE, THE BANK, HAD DINNER AND WENT HOME TO SLEEP. WE USED OLD ADVERISING PAGES AND ELECTION CAMPAIGN PAGES TO ILLUSTRATE DAY.

GREEN SUMMER CAMP

IN SUMMER CAMPS CHILDREN CAN EXPLORE NATURE, MAKE AN ART OUTSIDE AND EVEN MAKE A FIRE!

FORMATION OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLE SKILLS

WE ARE INTERESTED IN VARIOUS MEDICINAL HERBS WHICH GROW IN LITHUANIA (THYME, CHAMOMILE, PEPPERMINT, MINT, RASPBERRY, ETC.). WE COLLECT THEM AND DRINK HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS TEA.

ORGANIC GARDENING

ALL THE KINDERGARTEN GROUPS HAVE THEIR OWN VEGETABLE GARDENS. ORGANIC VEGETABLES (POTATOES, CARROTS, BEETROOTS, ZUCCHINI ETC.) ARE NOT ONLY DELCIOUS AND HEALTHY TO EAT, BUT THEY ARE ALSO GREAT TO USE FOR ART, THEATRICAL GAMES, LEARNING HOW TO COUNT, MEASURE, WEIGH, ETC.

letters made of ... nature

children collect things from nature (pine tree needles, branches, leaves) and create the first letters of their names (or first letters of friends or parents names).

INSECT HOTEL

CHILDREN DESIGNS AND MADE AN INSECT HOTEL FROM DIFFERENT MATERIALS: TOILET PAPER ROLLS, USED PAPER, PINES, LEAVES ETC.

DEVELOPMENT OF FINE MOTOR SKILLS

CHILDREN DEVELOP THEIR FINE MOTOR SKILLS SINCE CHILDHOOD AND USING NATURAL REMEDIES IS A GREAT WAY TO ACHIEVE IT AND ALSO TO STIMULATE CHILDREN`S CURIOSITY.

HOW SPECIAL ARE THE DANDELIONS OF OUR COURTYARDS?

• CHILDREN COLLECT DANDELIONS FROM THE PLAYGROUND OR COURTYARD.
• THEN THE TEACHER READ A STORY ABOUT DANDELIONS.
• CHILDREN CREATE MOSAICS USING DANDELIONS, DRAW WITH THEM, CONSTRUCT "DANCING PRINCESSES" USING THE BLOOMS OF THE FLOWERS.
• THERE ARE MANY EXPERIMENTS WITH DANDELIONS (PUTTING THE TORN STEMS OF THE DANDELIONS IN THE WATER ETC.).

AIR POLLUTION RESEARCH

• WE TEACH CHILDREN TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND OBSERVE THE PROCESS.
• CHILDREN GREASED THE CARDBOARD CUTOUT WITH VASELINE, PINCHED A HOLE, PULLED A STRING THRUOGH IT AND HANG IT OUTSIDE.
• DURING THE WEEK CHILDREN OBSERVED THE CATCHER AND TOOK NOTES OF THE CHANGES.

green kids city

children planned and made a city from residual materials. crafted cities can be used for:

• games using Qr codes on topic of traffic
• animation with lego people using app "Stop motion Studio".
• different robots to do learning activities

LEARNING ABOUT THE LIFE CYCLE

THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN TO OBSERVE HOW NEW LIFE COMES INTO THE WORLD AND LEARN HOW TO CARE FOR ANIMALS IN KINDERGARTEN.

DRAWING WITH PLANTS

CHILDREN WITH PARENTS COLLECT VARIOUS PLANTS FROM THEIR WALK HOME (OR FROM THE GARDEN). IN THE CLASS, THEY CONSTRUCT BRUSHES AND PAINT USING GUACHE.

eXPERIMENT "VOLCANO"

IN SCIENCE CLASS, CHILDREN STUDY CHEMICAL REACTIONS WITH BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY PLAY LESSON - CHILDREN PREPARE COLD SOUP FROM HOME-GROWN VEGETABLES. IN THE PROCESS...

MAKING SOUP

PAINTING ON... EVERYTHING

CHILDREN ARE ASKED TO CHOOSE A SPECIAL PLACE TO PAINT. SOMETIMES THEY CHOOSE CONSTUCTIONS OF THE PLAYGROUND, SOMETIMES - WALLS AND FENCES, SOMETIMES TREES... THE EXHIBITION OF THE PAINTINGS ALSO IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE.

sand castles

summer is a great time to build something with sand. Children used a lot of water, also natural materials like stones, sea shells, chestnuts and bark. they designed the flags to the buildings and took the pictures by themselves throughout the process.

CLEANLESS DAy IN THE KINDERGARTEN

CHILDREN LEARN THE SKILLS TO CLEAN UP THEIR SURROUNDINGS: WASH AND ORGANIZE THEIR TOYS

ART CLASS

CHILDREN LEARN GEOMETRIC SHAPES (TRIANGLE AND CIRCLE) AND LEARN COUNTING SKILLS BY COUNTING PAINTEDE ICE CREAM BALLS.

MEASURING WITH ... POTATOES!

PARENTS AND CHILDREN COLLECT VEGETABLES FROM THEIR HOMES (AND GARDENS) AND BRING THEM TO SCHOOLS. THEN TEACHER ASKS CHILDREN TO MEASURE THE HEIGHT OF THE FRIENDS USING AND COUNTING POTATOES, CORN OR OTHER VEGETABLES. AFTERWARDS, CHILDREN ARE ASKED TO FIND ANOTHER OBJECT FOR MEASURING.

INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STEAM ACTIVITIES

WE DEVELOP CHILDREN`S ECOLOGICAL CULTURE TOGETHER WITH THEIR PARENTS: MAKING A CHRISTMAS TOY, BUILDING A HOUSE, WRAPPING GIFTS AND ETC.

dirty children - happy children!

CHILDREN ARE ASKED TO FIND A PLACE IN THE PLAYGROUND TO ROLL DOWN. BEFORE, PARENTS WERE ASKED TO BRING AN EXTRA PACKAGE OF CLOTHING TO CHANGE.

SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL

CHILDREN MAKE FLOWER COMPOSITIONS FROM COLLECTED FLOWERS, FERNS AND TREE BRANCHES, WEAVE WREATHS TO CELEBRITE THE HOLIDAY.

NIGHT CREATURE...

• STORY ABOUT NIGHT - WHAT WE DO AT NIGHT TIME?
• CRAFTIG THE NIGHT CREATURE FROM RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
• CHILDREN TAKE A PICTURE WITH TABLETS.
• MAKING AN EXHIBITION.

treasure hunting

TREASURE HUNTING IS A VERY USEFUL APPROACH. CHILDREN ARE PROVIDED WITH MAPS AND TASKS (TO FIND A VERY WELL HIDDEN TEDDY BEAR). THEY HAVE TO FULFILL TASKS TO FIND THE TEDDY.

SPRINGWORK WITH MATATALAB

• DISCUSSION ABOUT SPRING WORKS WITH FHOTOS
• TEAMWORK WITH MATATALAB - HOW THE ROBOT IS MOVING?
• DRAWING WITH ROBOTS.
• ALL GROUPS TOGETHER PUTTING PICTURES TO THE GAMEBOARD AND MOVING MATATALAB ROBOTS TO THE RIGHT PICTURE.
• CREATIVE DANCE WITH ROBOTS AFTER ALL WORKS ARE DONE!

CHILDREN DREW A PICTURES ABOUT HOW DO BEHAVE OR NOT IN THE NATURE. THEY THOUGHT THE RULES OF THE GAME: USING SELF-MADE DIE WITH NUMBERS 1, 2, 3 BEEBOT NEED TO MOVE FROM START TO FINISH. THE ROBOT COULD STOP ONLY IN THESE PICTURES, WHICH SHOW POSITIVE BEHAVIOR.

making a learning game

FOOT- JOY

Parents with children and teachers collect various things from surrounding nature: stones, branches, hay, grass and... Afterwards teachers and pupils made a perfect path to enjoy walking barefoot.

STEAM OUTDOOR LABORATORY

WE HAVE THE OUTDOOR STEAM LABORATORY, WHERE THE CHILDREN CAN TEST THE PROCESSES OF PHYSICS BY POURING WATER, SAND, ROLLING A PEBBLE OR A BOTTLE CAP INTO THE PREPARED TRACKS AND WATCHING THEIR JOURNEY ALONG THEM.

Lessons about playground plants

CHILDREN HAVE A TASK TO COLLECT DIFFERENT PLANTS ACCORDING TO THE FEATURES WRITTEN ON THE TABLES (NARROW LEAVES, NEEDLES, CROPPED LEAVES ETC). THEY LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE LETTERS, TO READ AND THEN TO COMPARE THE PLANTS. THE MAGNIFIER IS A NESSESSARY TOOL TO EXPLORE THE TEXTURE. THE FOLLOWING TASK IS TO DESCRIBE THE PLANTS, IMAGINING IF THE CHILD WERE ... A SNAIL!

CARD FOR FATHERS

IN ART CLASS, CHILDREN PREPARE FATHER`S DAY CARDS FOR THEIR DADS. DIFFERENT COLORS, RAINBOW - CONNECTION WITH NATURE IS SOUGHT AND FOUND IN EVERY DAILY ACTIVITY.

PRODUCTION OF BIOHUMUS

WE INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO THE PROCESS OF DECOMPOSITION IN NATURE: EARTHWORMS LIVING IN A TERRARIUM PRODUCE BIOHUMUS FROM FOOD WASTE, TREE LEAVES AND SOIL.

STEAM WHILE COOKING

WE COOK HEALTHY DISHES TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN. STUDENTS ALSO IMPROVE THEIR MATH SKILLS BY SORTING COLORS, CUTTING, COUNTING AND WEIGHING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

GARDENING IN A PLAYGROUND

CHILDREN CHECK THEIR FLOWER BEDS - CHECK WHETHER THEY NEED TO BE UPROOTED OR WATERED.

FREE THEME DURING PAINTING - "WHAT I SEE IN THE CITY?".

OUTDOOR LESSON

STEAM POSTER - OZOBOT TRACK

CHILDREN MADE A POSTER FROM WASTE PAPER. THEN THEY DREW A TRACK FOR OZOBOT TO MEET WITH DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND PLAYNG EDUCATINOAL GAMES.

the end!

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Let the communication flow!

With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to wow your audience. You can also highlight a particular sentence or piece of information so that it sticks in your audience’s minds, or even embed external content to surprise them: Whatever you like!Do you need more reasons to create dynamic content? No problem! 90% of the information we assimilate is received through sight and, what’s more, we retain 42% more information when the content moves.

• Generate experiences with your content.
• It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
• Make sure your audience remembers the message.

Got an idea?

Let the communication flow!

With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to wow your audience. You can also highlight a particular sentence or piece of information so that it sticks in your audience’s minds, or even embed external content to surprise them: Whatever you like!Do you need more reasons to create dynamic content? No problem! 90% of the information we assimilate is received through sight and, what’s more, we retain 42% more information when the content moves.

• Generate experiences with your content.
• It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
• Make sure your audience remembers the message.