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INTEGRATING STEM INTO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: IS IT FEASIBLE?

Year 2016, Volume: 4 , 336 - 341, 01.09.2016

Abstract

This
paper aims to determine the feasibility of integrating STEM into the early
childhood education. As such, a survey design was deemed appropriate. Purposive
sampling technique was used in which 22 early childhood teachers from 19 urban
and rural childcare centres in Malaysia were selected for this study. These 22
early childhood teachers were familiarised to the use of Problem-Based Inquiry Learning (PIL) in integrating STEM by
means of 10 authors-developed STEM Projects through a three-day fully
residential training workshop. Upon the completion of the training workshop,
the teachers were supported in integrating STEM in their respective classrooms
for five-month duration during which, an implementation of a maximum of five
STEM Projects was aspired. Two sources of data were gathered from the teachers
to determine the suitability of STEM integration in early childhood education:
(1) at the end of the training workshop where teachers reported on the
suitability of the STEM Projects for early childhood pupils aged 3 to 4+, and
(2) at the end of the five-month classroom implementation where teachers
reported on the STEM Projects which they have carried out with their 3-4+
year-old children. Findings indicated that, while two of the 10 STEM Projects
were perceived as less appropriate by at least 50% of the teachers, eight other
STEM Projects were deemed as appropriate. The actual implementation of STEM
Projects among the teachers ranges between 60% to 100%, with a mean of 81%.
This paper ends with a discussion on the characteristics of the appropriate
STEM projects for 3 to 4+ year olds, and equally, implications for STEM
education are proffered. 

References

  • Ayob, A., Ong, E.T., Ibrahim, M.N., Adnan, M., Shariff, J., & Isyak, N. (2015). Stem In The Early Childhood Education In Malaysia. Paper Presented At The Early Childhood Care & Education International Rendezvous (Ecceir 2015), The Gardens Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, 4-6 August, 2015. Azian, T. S. A. (2015). STEM Education: Policies and prospects towards achieving international standard and meeting national development needs. Keynote address given at International Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics High-Level Policy Forum on Evidenced-Based Science Education in Developing Countries, 26-27 May 2015, Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Bernama (2004, September 23). PM leads Malayisa as a founding nation of the “Global STEM Alliance” at United Nations. Accessed on September 24, from http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=23034 Brandwein, P. F. (1995). Science talent in the young expressed within ecologies of achievement (RBDM 9510). Storrs, CT: The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, University of Connecticut. Bybee, R. W. (2013). The case for STEM education: Challenges and opportunities. Arlington, Virginia: National Science Teachers Association Press. Helm, J. H., & Katz, L. G. (2001). Young investigators: The project approach in the early years. New York: Teachers College Press. Katz, L. G. (2010). STEM in early years. Collected Papers from the SEED (STEM in Early Education and Development) Conference. Retrieved September 30, 2015, from http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/beyond/seed/katz.html Katz, L. G., & Chard, S. C. (2000). Engaging children’s minds: The project approach (2nd ed.). Stamford, CT: Ablex. Keeley, P. (2009). Elementary science education in the K-12 System. NSTA WebNews Digest. Retrieved on July 30, 2015 from http://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=55954 PERMATA. (2013). Kurikulum Permata Negara: Asuhan dan Didikan Awal Kanak-Kanak 0-4 Tahun. Cyberjaya: Jabatan Perdana Menteri. Pratt, H. (2007). Science education’s “overlooked ingredient”: Why the path to global competitiveness begins in elementary school. Retrieved on July 30, 2015, from http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/nstaexpress_2007_10_29_pratt.htm National Science Board (2010). Preparing the next generation of STEM innovators: Identifying and developing our nation’s human capital. Arlington, Virginia: National Science Foundation. Retrieved on July 30, 2015 from http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/publications/2010/nsb1033.pdf
Year 2016, Volume: 4 , 336 - 341, 01.09.2016

Abstract

References

  • Ayob, A., Ong, E.T., Ibrahim, M.N., Adnan, M., Shariff, J., & Isyak, N. (2015). Stem In The Early Childhood Education In Malaysia. Paper Presented At The Early Childhood Care & Education International Rendezvous (Ecceir 2015), The Gardens Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, 4-6 August, 2015. Azian, T. S. A. (2015). STEM Education: Policies and prospects towards achieving international standard and meeting national development needs. Keynote address given at International Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics High-Level Policy Forum on Evidenced-Based Science Education in Developing Countries, 26-27 May 2015, Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Bernama (2004, September 23). PM leads Malayisa as a founding nation of the “Global STEM Alliance” at United Nations. Accessed on September 24, from http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=23034 Brandwein, P. F. (1995). Science talent in the young expressed within ecologies of achievement (RBDM 9510). Storrs, CT: The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, University of Connecticut. Bybee, R. W. (2013). The case for STEM education: Challenges and opportunities. Arlington, Virginia: National Science Teachers Association Press. Helm, J. H., & Katz, L. G. (2001). Young investigators: The project approach in the early years. New York: Teachers College Press. Katz, L. G. (2010). STEM in early years. Collected Papers from the SEED (STEM in Early Education and Development) Conference. Retrieved September 30, 2015, from http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/beyond/seed/katz.html Katz, L. G., & Chard, S. C. (2000). Engaging children’s minds: The project approach (2nd ed.). Stamford, CT: Ablex. Keeley, P. (2009). Elementary science education in the K-12 System. NSTA WebNews Digest. Retrieved on July 30, 2015 from http://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=55954 PERMATA. (2013). Kurikulum Permata Negara: Asuhan dan Didikan Awal Kanak-Kanak 0-4 Tahun. Cyberjaya: Jabatan Perdana Menteri. Pratt, H. (2007). Science education’s “overlooked ingredient”: Why the path to global competitiveness begins in elementary school. Retrieved on July 30, 2015, from http://science.nsta.org/nstaexpress/nstaexpress_2007_10_29_pratt.htm National Science Board (2010). Preparing the next generation of STEM innovators: Identifying and developing our nation’s human capital. Arlington, Virginia: National Science Foundation. Retrieved on July 30, 2015 from http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/publications/2010/nsb1033.pdf
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Details

Journal Section Articles
Authors

Eng Tek Ong This is me

Aminah Ayob This is me

Nasir Ibrahım This is me

Mazlini Adnan This is me

Jameyah Sharıff This is me

Noriah Mohd Ishak This is me

Publication Date September 1, 2016
Published in Issue Year 2016 Volume: 4

Cite

APA Ong, E. T., Ayob, A., Ibrahım, N., Adnan, M., et al. (2016). INTEGRATING STEM INTO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: IS IT FEASIBLE?. The Eurasia Proceedings of Educational and Social Sciences, 4, 336-341.