ECE 330: Math, Science and Technology for Young Children

Course Description

This course focuses on early mathematical and science content and concepts that are relevant to young children during the first five years of life. The course is designed to teach students effective strategies to recognize and promote mathematical development and science inquiry in all young children. Students will explore what mathematics and science looks like for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and learn specific ways to facilitate young children’s mathematical development. Students will practice what they are learning through a variety of assignments, including direct interactions with young children. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to identify opportunities for mathematics and science learning throughout the curriculum, observe and assess young children’s developing mathematical and science knowledge, plan experiences that focus on specific math and science concepts, and use a variety of strategies and materials to promote children’s interests and abilities in mathematics and sciences. The course also infuses the relevance of and best practices related to technology into its content. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education
ECE 210: Observation and Assessment in ECE Program
ECE 217: The Exceptional Learner
ECE 222: Curriculum for Young Children - Methods and Techniques or ECE 261: Infant / Toddler Care: Methods and Techniques
ENG 101: English Composition 1
ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

Define the fundamental aspects of a developmentally appropriate early childhood STEM curriculum.
Identify national and local standards for science, technology, engineering, and math instruction and programming in early education settings.
Recognize and explain the importance of creativity as foundational to inquiry-based integrated play based curriculum in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Plan inquiry-based science, technology, engineering, and math experiences for children throughout an integrated, play-based curriculum.
Develop intentional teaching strategies that teach for understanding by providing real world contexts in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Identify appropriate individual child assessment methods in science, technology, engineering, and math learning.
Apply nowledge of the role teacher in the planning of STEM curriculum and environments.

Course Activities and Grading

Assignments	Weight
Discussions (Weeks 1-8)	50%
Assignments (Weeks 1-8)	50%
Total	100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

Moomaw, Sally (2013). Teaching STEM in the Early Years. Redleaf Press. ISBN-13: 9781605541211

Additional Resources

Cyber-Connections and other required reading will be provided in the course.

Course Schedule

Week	SLOs	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	1	What is STEM? Readings: Teaching STEM in the Early Years Chapter 1 STEM Starts Early – Executive Summary P 4-13 Week 1 Cyber-Connections	Complete assigned readings Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Engage with Cyber-Connections Complete Week 1 Assignment
2	2,3	Creativity: The Foundation of STEM Readings: Article: Developing young children’s creativity: What can we learn from the research? The Roots of STEM Success – Introduction P 1-6 STEM Starts Early – P 14-18 Week 2 Cyber-Connections	Complete assigned readings Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Engage with Cyber-Connections Complete Week 2 Assignment
3	3,4,5	STEM Thinking Begins in Infancy Readings: The Roots of STEM Success – P 7 – 11 Best Practices: Engaging Children in STEM Week 3 Cyber-Connections	Complete assigned readings Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Engage with Cyber-Connections Complete Week 3 Assignment
4	3,4,5	Play and STEM Readings: The Roots of STEM Success – Introduction P 12-16 Week 4 Cyber-Connections	Complete assigned readings Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Engage with Cyber-Connections Complete Week 4 Assignment
5	3,4,5	STEM and Integrated Curriculum Readings: The Roots of STEM Success – P 17-20 Week 5 Cyber-Connections	Complete assigned readings Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Engage with Cyber-Connections Complete Week 5 Assignment
6	3,4,5	Curiosity, Discovery and the Development of the Nimble Thinker Readings: The Roots of STEM Success – P 21-26 Week 6 Cyber-Connections	Complete assigned readings Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Engage with Cyber-Connections Complete Week 6 Assignment
7	6	Mindset Matters Readings: The Roots of STEM Success – P 27-31 Week 7 Cyber-Connections	Complete assigned readings Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Engage with Cyber-Connections Complete Week 7 Assignment
8	7	Executive Functioning, Critical and Abstract Thinking and the Role of Adults in STEM Readings: The Roots of STEM Success – P 32-37 STEM Starts Early – P 19-29 Week 8 Cyber-Connections	Complete assigned readings Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Engage with Cyber-Connections Complete Week 8 Assignment

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.