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ERIC Number: EJ1209372
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Mar
Pages: 8
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8148
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Ramp It Up!
Presser, Ashley Lewis; Dominguez, Ximena; Goldstein, Marion; Vidiksis, Regan; Kamdar, Danae
Science and Children, v56 n7 p30-37 Mar 2019
Investigating real-world phenomena in a playful, exploratory setting is a natural process for young children. Teachers can capitalize on children's curiosity to foster their understanding of science ideas and their engagement in science practices, such as predicting, experimenting, observing, comparing, and contrasting. Force and motion investigations like these allow preschoolers to practice experimentation while developing the ability to make predictions and reflect on their observations. Engaging in science practices allows children to develop conceptual understanding of science phenomena and learn how science works (NGSS Lead States 2013) as well as learn other important STEM domains (e.g., mathematics). Many preschool classrooms provide young children with opportunities to build and use ramps, yet systematic investigations with ramps can be challenging because rolling objects often move quickly, making it hard for children to closely observe motion and reflect on findings. Moreover, children may need support to link what they observe during investigations to variables they can change and test systematically. Digital tools can support teachers' and children's engagement in science investigations. Children learn, rather than as something that simply delivers information.
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: DRL1316550
Author Affiliations: N/A