Science 

Fostering inquiry, wonder, and discovery through playful scientific exploration

Theoretical Perspectives

Science experiences in early childhood are underpinned by developmental and constructivist theories that promote hands-on learning:

• Piaget’s theory of cognitive development positions children as active learners who build knowledge through interaction with materials and the environment.

• Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory highlights the value of adult scaffolding in supporting scientific dialogue and shared problem-solving (Smolucha & Smolucha, 2021).

• Eisner’s theory of expressive creativity supports the use of science as a medium for exploration and meaning-making across multiple sensory channels.

These frameworks affirm the educator’s role in creating environments that support questioning, exploration, and discovery.

Materials, Resources and Technologies

Science experiences thrive in environments that are open-ended and rich in materials. Educators can use:

These materials support multi-sensory learning and foster connections between abstract scientific ideas and real-world experiences (STEMIE, 2024).

Creative Science Experiences by Age Group

These age-appropriate activities support scientific thinking, creativity, and discovery through play.

Infants (0–2 Years)

• Light and Shadow Play

Babies interact with flashlights, shadows, and translucent objects to explore cause and effect and visual tracking (Gonzalez-Mena, 2019).

• Water Play Exploration

Using small tubs, children experiment with pouring, scooping, and watching water move, helping develop spatial reasoning and early physics understanding (Cabe Trundle & Saçkes, 2021).

Toddlers (2–3 Years)

• Sink or Float Sorting

Children predict and test if objects float or sink in water, enhancing classification, observation, and early hypothesis-making (STEMIE – Sink or Float).

• Bug Hunt

Toddlers use magnifiers to find insects in the garden, promoting nature awareness and descriptive language development (Zhao, 2024).

Preschoolers (3–5 Years)

• Mini Garden Scientists

Children plant seeds and document growth using photos or drawings, developing inquiry and understanding of life cycles (STEMIE – Gardening).

• Melting Ice Investigation

Using salt, food colouring, and timers, children explore how ice melts, learning about temperature, change, and time (Promoting Scientific Thinking, 2008).

School-Age (6–8 Years)

• Tinker Box Challenge

Using the STEMIE Tinker Box kit, children design solutions to small problems (e.g., how to move a toy without touching it), building STEM creativity and critical thinking (STEMIE – Tinker Box).

• Build a Weather Station

Children work in teams to create rain gauges, wind spinners, and sun catchers, enhancing observation, recording, and teamwork skills (AGDE, 2022).

From observing and recording water creatures in jars to experimenting with volume using measuring tools and magnifying leaves in nature, these young scientists demonstrate curiosity, inquiry, and discovery through real-world investigation and play-based learning.