Chapter 1 - Intro to Science & SPS

Which is NOT a type of science learning experience in ECE?

• Naturalistic

• Identifying variables

• Structured learning experiences

• Informal

What does science look like in the early years? • Fourteen-month-old Zara has her gumboots on. Holding Dad's hand tightly, she walks into the edge of the mud. Zara stands still and smiles, looking down at her feet as they slowly sink. She pulls her gumboots out of the mud, feeling the resistance. • On dry land, Zara stands still and looks down at her feet. She then walks back into the mud with another smile on her face.

What type of science learning experience is involved?

• Naturalistic

• Informal

• Structured

Science in ECE Science is a way of thinking and understanding the world. A process of inquiry – finding out organizing and reporting discoveries.

• True

• False

Science in ECE is about the memorization of facts

• True

• False

Adult initiates informal learning experiences as the child is engaged in real experiences. These experiences are NOT preplanned: They occur when the adult’s experience, intuition, or both indicate it is time to act. The child might be on the right track in solving a problem but needs a cue or encouragement. In another situation, the adult might use a teachable moment to reinforce certain concepts.

What type of science learning experience does this involve?

• Naturalistic

• Informal

• Structured

• With a large group at a specific time. Ms Amanda realises that classification is essential in organising science data. • For example, it was part of her lesson plan that when it was time to study petals. Ms Amanda had students bring petals from home to classify them.

What type of science learning experience did Ms. Amanda plan for?

• Informal

• Naturalistic

• Structured

Select the BASIC science process skills

• Inferencing

• Observation

• Classfication

• Prediction

• Measurement

Select the INTERMEDIATE science process skills

• Inferencing

• Observation

• Classfication

• Prediction

• Measurement

• Every morning, 6-year-old Fatima plays with the magnets at the science learning centre. • She explores the different sized and shaped magnets, watching how they 'attract' and 'repel' each other and a range of other materials. • When asked how she thought the magnets worked, Fatima confidently replied: "They stick together because they have honey on the ends”.

What type of science process skills are involved? Select TWO

• Observation

• Measurement

• Comparison

• Prediction