New Perspectives in Science Education

Empowering young minds with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities is pivotal for fostering holistic learning experiences and nurturing problem-solving skills (Sahin, 2021). In the realm of Early Childhood Education (ECE), integrating playful STEAM challenges allows children to explore and understand the world around them. Numerous studies underscore the transformative impact of investing in ECE, particularly in the domains of STEM and the arts, as it lays a robust foundation for acquiring indispensable 21st-century skills (Soylu, 2016). While the benefits of STEAM education are evident, its implementation in early childhood settings can be perceived as formidable. Many educators hesitate to incorporate STEAM into their classrooms due to the perceived need for extensive expertise across multiple disciplines. Addressing this concern, the SEGA (Shaping STEAM Education for Young Children through Gaming) project emerges as a beacon of innovation. Co-financed by the Erasmus+ Programme under Key Action 2 – KA220-SCH, this initiative is dedicated to forging partnerships in school education to develop STEAM

activities tailored for early education classrooms. This paper delves into the outcomes derived from implementing the SEGA framework in prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms in Greece. The project's core involved integrating three hours of STEAM lesson plans weekly as

part of the schools' afterschool program. Through this initiative, students seamlessly intertwined their real-life activities and experiences with mathematical and engineering concepts. Encouraged to adopt an engineer's perspective, they actively engaged in activities that nurtured 21st-century skills. The SEGA project has not only proven instrumental in advancing STEM education within early childhood classrooms but has also emerged as a catalyst for nurturing essential life skills in the leaders of tomorrow. By seamlessly integrating STEAM activities tailored to individual student needs, this initiative goes beyond traditional learning paradigms, ensuring a positive and adaptive environment. The success stories stemming from our project underscore the transformative potential of incorporating innovative and engaging STEAM approaches in early education, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning and skill development.

 

Keywords: STEAM , ERASMUS KA2 , Kindergarten, Skills, Gamification

 

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