As part of their field experience with learning the methods of teaching science to elementary children, students from Ms. Burroughs’ MST 202 course visited a pre-K school in Trenton to work with 3 and 4 year olds learning physics and chemistry concepts. The children were enthusiastic participants in lessons designed to let them explore the possibilities of drops of water or investigating how different wheels behave when rolling down ramps. The college students practiced the lessons before teaching them; but after that, were on their own as to how they worked with their small group of children. They learned many things about keeping children on task and fielding questions. Insights gained included a better understanding of “age appropriate” science and students were able to adjust their teaching so that each child shared many new ideas as they worked creatively. Children are natural investigators and highly inventive. If the college students thought these young children would be passive learners, they were pleasantly surprised! Science explorations will be welcomed back in these classrooms anytime!
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