Meraka Institute CSIR Anita van Deventer Science and Technology Awareness for Preschool Children: a...

Meraka Institute CSIR

Anita van Deventer

Science and Technology Awareness for Preschool Children: a Working Model

© CSIR 2007 www.csir.co.za

• Why Science and Technology

• The Process

• Outcomes

• The Model

Overview


Introduce Science and Technology to preschool children

- Fun

- Hands-on

- Once a week

“Give Science and Technology meaning”

TekkiTots Project


Why Science and Technology?

• Need more scientists and engineers “The knowledge generated by basic sciences forms the core

support for economic growth and improved quality of life. The attrition and ageing science researchers is identified in the South African Research and Development Strategy as a concern for South Africa”

(Department of Science and Technology: Online)

• Early investment with regards to knowledge skill and attitude (Children do not “know” what science and

technology are)

• Preschool children are eager to explore and learn


Started in 2006

• Need for Science and Technology at Morning Star Montessori

• ICT in Education, Youth and Gender research group(Explore the possibility of introducing science and technology to preschool children)


Become part of the environment

Learn through practical experience

With What and How?


The need to understand:

• The environment (real world)

• Children (behaviour and skills)

• What appropriate content is (chromatography or mixing of colours?)

• How to present the content (demonstration/hands-on)

Discovered


Action Research


The process


Project Partners


OutcomesCycle 1 (2006)

Cycle 2 (2007)

Cycle 3 (2008)

Goal Develop Content

Test method and content with more

educators & children

Streamline the process to minimize input from

Meraka and empower students

Schools 1 4 8

Students 1 18 34

Children 6 97 200+


Unintended Outcomes

Students (tomorrows parents)

- Roll models- Discover aspects about themselves and others (Life

skills: responsibility, commit, plan and organise) - Change in attitude towards S&T

- Experience“This was a tale of Three young men, two from the engineering front, one from publishing who were given a chance to learn something a classroom couldn't teach, and learnt something no mark could reflect. “

http://blogs.up.ac.za/jcp2008/index.php/home/


Positive attitude of parents towards Science and Technology in preschools (Sunnyside)

“This is a good initiative. Continue with it. My daughter really enjoys the classes”

“Amohelang really enjoys TekkiTots! classes. She does not stop talking about teacher KB! She says teacher KB is the best!!”

“I would like to S&T being take serious at all levels of learning,learners being told about importance of S&T”

Unintended Outcomes


TekkiTots and teachers

- Threat

- Observe from a distance

- Opportunity to take part, contribute and eventually take over

Unintended Outcomes


The Environment

The Model


• Presenter attitude, preparation, planning & commitment

• Children do not know

• Learning ears + eyes + hands= Experience

• Language issues

• It takes time to change attitudes

General Observations


• Meraka Institute – UP(JCP)

• TekkiTots content onto mobile phones

2009

Thank you

Meraka Institute CSIR Anita van Deventer Science and Technology Awareness for Preschool Children: a...

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