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SciTot - Exploring Together
A short extract from an article which first appeared in Early Education magazine, Summer 2004.
'Not a test tube in sight!'
'What a great morning we've just had! I really didn't know that there was so much to do in the bathroom.' So said one parent who attended a SciTot - Exploring Together family workshop. SciTot organisers Linda Thornton and Pat Brunton explain how they created such excitement.
In National Science Week, an annual event held in the second week of March, events are held all over the country to celebrate the role of science and technology in society. In 2004 some of the youngest participants were the babies and toddlers of Sure Start Lescudjack in Penzance who participated in SciTot - Exploring Together family workshops organised by Linda Thornton and Pat Brunton.
Over a six-month period, a series of SciTot - Exploring Together workshops took place in three different early years settings in Cornwall, Treverbyn Trailblazers at Treverbyn School, St Breock Beacons at St Breock School and Sure Start Lescudjack. The workshops were designed for children aged 3-5 and their families, and were part-funded by a Copus grant. The Copus grant scheme sets out to encourage science communication and to further the public understanding of science.
Preparing the ground for success
Our aim in SciTot - Exploring Together was to increase awareness among families and early years practitioners of the science and technology behind everyday objects through playing and learning alongside their young children. By demonstrating how much enjoyment can be had from simple investigations and explorations, SciTot challenged any negative attitudes which adults may have had about science and technology; feelings that often stem from their own personal experiences at school. In this venture we had the perfect allies - the children themselves. Through their interest and sustained involvement in the investigations they proved to be great role models, epitomising curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm for learning.
The key to the success of SciTot was the time that we spent with practitioners in the three settings before the project started, and also with parents at the beginning of each workshop session. Discussions with the practitioners provided an opportunity for us all to:
- consider the place of science and technology in the early years curriculum
- explore the concept of young children as researchers
- review the role of adults as supporters of young children's learning
- ensure compatibility with the settings' approach to working with parents
- agree the practical arrangements to ensure the smooth running of the workshops.
Time spent with family members led to a shared understanding of:
- the broad aims of SciTot
- how to find science and technology in everyday things
- the importance of valuing children's ideas and letting them take the lead
- listening to children and asking them good questions
- enjoying the opportunity to play and have fun.
