A Playground for Science

Children learn about natural sciences and technology / Education experts offer training programme in the field of early childhood education

Münster (upm), Di, 19 Feb 2013

Prof. Miriam Leuchter (centre) and Prof. Kornelia Möller (both Sub-department of Fact-based Primary Teaching) with Dr. Ekkehard Winter (Deutsche Telekom Stiftung, 2nd from the left) and Vice-Dean of Physics Prof. Christian Weinheimer

photo: WWU/Peter Grewer

The mystery of leverage – which wheelbarrow can be lifted most easily?

photo: WWU/Peter Grewer

The Sub-department of Fact-based Primary Teaching of Münster University presents a new training programme in the field of early childhood education. This programme, called "KiNT-Elementar", addresses all those whose concern it is to motivate and supervise the playful learning processes of nursery children in natural sciences and technology. This target audience could include parents, nursery teachers as well as representatives of educational establishments. Last but not least, this programme is to address teachers at vocational colleges who train nursery teachers. In order to facilitate the transition from nursery school to primary school, an advanced training programme for teachers in the initial school entry phase is being offered.

The training programme, supported by the "Deutsche Telekom Stiftung" with an endowed professorship, is based on the assumption that children of all ages are interested in science and technology and are able to engage in these topics in a playful and productive manner. "Especially in a society increasingly dominated by technology, it makes sense to strengthen scientific and technological skills as early as possible," explains Prof. Miriam Leuchter. She worked as a nursery teacher in Switzerland and Sweden for more than ten years before choosing a university career. Now she is running the programme, which is supervised by her university assistants.

"KiNT-Elementar" (abbreviated KiNT:E, stands for "Kinder lernen Naturwissenschaften und Technik im Elementarbereich" / "Kids learn about Natural Sciences and Technology in the Elementary field") has a play-and-study-room equipped with boxes filled with stimulating games, experiments, and learning and research tools. Adults who take part in the training programme are able to observe the children through a one-way mirror whilst they are left to play and learn by themselves. The observations will then be reflected on together with the team from the Sub-department of Fact-based Primary Teaching. The results of the consultation are to support the motivation and supervision of productive playing and learning processes in nurseries.

Theory and practice are closely linked at "KiNT-Elementar". Miriam Leuchter's team are dedicated to current research issues. They want to gain new insights on how children benefit from the opportunities of playful activity with natural sciences and technology. The researchers also analyse how teachers can effectively encourage playing and learning processes within this field of study. These findings will be taken into consideration for the development of playing and teaching materials. Thus, the researchers are paying particular attention to the further education and development of nursery teachers as well as teachers at schools and vocational colleges.

The advanced training courses can be booked by groups or individuals. Upon request, courses can be designed and tailored to personal interests and needs. Further information is available via e-mail: KiNT.E@uni-muenster.de, phone: 0251 83-32021 or online: http://www.uni-muenster.de/Sachunterrichtsdidaktik/weiterbildung/elementar/index.html (in German only).

Translators: Charlotte Kalb, Linda Boermans, Victoria Derksen

Further information (in German)

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