This edited book provides an overview of unstructured and structured play scenarios crucial to developing young children’s awareness, interest, and ability to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in informal and formal education environments. The key elements for developing future STEM capital, enabling children to use their intuitive critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and promoting active citizenship and a scientifically literate workforce, begins in the early years as children learn through play, employing trial and error, and often investigating on their own. Forty-seven STEM experts come together from 16 countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, and the USA) and describe educational policies and experiences related to young learners 3–4 years of age, as well as students attending formal-nursery school, early primary school, and the early years classes post 5 years of age. The book is intended for parents seeking to provide STEM activities for their children at home and in playgroups, citizen scientists seeking guidance to provide children with quality educational activities, daycare practitioners providing educational structures for young children from birth to formal education, primary school teachers and preservice teachers seeking to teach preschool, kindergarten or children typically aged 5–8 years old in grades 1–3, as well as researchers and policy makers working in science didactics with small children.
The International Handbook on Geographical Education is the first truly international publication in the field of geographical education for several decades. It is distinctive in the following ways: A large team of highly experienced geographers and educators from around the world have injected their perspectives on international issues in the field. While some reflection of past thinking and practice is evident, the main purpose of this publication is to offer international leadership in geographical education for the world in the twenty first century. Illuminating local and national examples are used to reinforce the international perspectives. The publication challenges geographical educators, policymakers and curriculum developers to reposition themselves for the changing approaches in societies around the world. It is a publication for the thinking geographer and educator who appreciates where international education is travelling to and how its challenges can be met.
Elementary Education on the Internet offers a contemporary approach to cataloging lesson plans and resources on the Internet, and criteria for you to use in selecting websites and lesson plans on the Internet. (1) Options and ideas for gathering and cataloging Internet resources for the most effective use in the classroom. (2) Connections to standards and national and state professional organizations help keep your lessons aligned with critical curriculum standards. (3) A chapter on each content area makes it easy to locate relevent websites for the subjects being taught. In-service Elementary School Teachers, Parents, and Curriculum Specialists.