Implementation of an integrated STEM activity in pre-primary schools

Abstract

BotSTEM is an ERASMUS+ project. Its outputs are aimed to provide in- and pre-service teachers in Childhood and Primary Education with a didactical framework, research-based materials and best practices using integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and robot-based approaches for enhancing scientific literacy in young children. Initial results from the implementation of activities following the proposed model in preschools in Spain are presented here. Despite the possible obstacles that preschool teachers initially expressed, the preliminary analysis indicates that the proposed STEM integrated framework, including inquiry teaching and engineering design methodologies, can be used with children as young as 4 y.o. In the case of a project about magnets, the children seem to have learnt some scientific ideas, applied these ideas to design a magnetic toy and learnt about spatial orientation using robots.