Alexandra is the Early Learning Program Coordinator at Scienceworks. She loves exploring the ways in which science engages young children.
We just trialled the brand new early learning Discovery Kit called 'Looking' with four- and five-year-old kindergarten children from Laverton North Children's Centre. Rosemary Monagle, the kindergarten teacher, uses a noticeboard to communicate with parents of the children she teaches. This is the notice she wrote about my visit:
Alexandra from Scienceworks visited the kindergarten today. She brought pictures of Nitty Gritty Super City and discussed what the children could see and what materials or tools were used in each picture. Alexandra then introduced the children to her 'yellow box' of 'looking' tools. The children learnt each tool's name and the correct way to use it.
The children collected natural materials from the yard or home and used the looking tools to see the objects close-up. The children drew their favourite looking tool and what they could see when using it.
Drawing of looking at a ladybug through a magnifiying glass.
Image: Angel
Source: Angel
Drawing of looking at flowers through a microscope.
Image: Olivia
Source: Olivia
The 'Looking' kit will be accompanied by a DVD of interviews with MV scientists, historians and curators talking about their favourite lens tools and how they use them.
Links:
Nitty Gritty Super Kids
Interactive PDF trial
Alexandra is the Early Learning Program Coordinator at Scienceworks. She loves exploring the ways in which science engages young children.
The first trial of the Nitty Gritty Super City interactive PDF on iPads went well last week!
Child playing with an iPad at the trial of the interactive PDF.
Image: Jackie McWiliam
Source: DEECD
The interactive PDF was designed to work like a series of games based on the much-loved Nitty Gritty exhibition content. It functions like a low-tech app, and will soon be available to download from the Scienceworks education pages. It is full of physical and environmental science concepts specifically developed for early learners, in accordance with the Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
Alexandra demonstrating the Nitty Gritty Super City interactive PDF section about microscopes.
Image: Jackie McWiliam
Source: DEECD
Out of the group of 22 four and five year olds, two children had iPads at home and five children said they had seen an iPad before.
When I showed the children the iPad for the first time, I asked the group, 'What is this?' One child yelled at the top of his voice, 'It's an iPad!'
When I asked the group what an iPad was, one child said, 'It's a rectangle!' Completely wonderful.
Kids learning what to do when the 'Oops!' screen pops up.
Image: Jackie McWiliam
Source: DEECD
And while we have a little tweaking to do based on this inaugural trial, apparently Christmas came to Laverton Children's Community Centre a little early this year.
Links:
Nitty Gritty Super Kids
Alexandra is the Early Learning Program Coordinator at Scienceworks. She loves exploring the ways in which science engages young children.
As part of a fabulous partnership with DEECD Western Metropolitan Region (WMR) Laverton Community Children's Centre recently made their very first visit to Nitty Gritty Super City. These children hail from the fastest-growing region in Australia, as well as being amongst the most culturally and linguistically diverse.
This is what it looked like on the big day:
Finding clothes to wear on a sunny Melbourne day.
Image: Kimalee Reid
Source: DEECD
Using the lever to operate the digger.
Image: Kimalee Reid
Source: DEECD
We hoisted the bricks up using the rope and pulley.
Image: Kimalee Reid
Source: Museum Victoria
We played in the Scienceworks playground.
Image: Kimalee Reid
Source: DEECD
The kids had a great time and the day's event was a great first step to encourage an interest in science for these early learners. We hope to see them back again soon!
Links:
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Education programs for Nitty Gritty Super City