3 credits
Fall 2026 Lecture Upper Division
This course focuses on teaching STEM concepts and practices in preschool and primary classrooms. Cross-content integration of math and science instruction is emphasized to promote conceptual understanding and real-world problem solving. It covers developmental foundations and curriculum applications of STEM teaching, including ways to plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate STEM content for young children with and without disabilities, and those who are multilanguage learners. The course integrates components of Science of Reading, specifically oral language, reading, and writing instruction, to build knowledge and skills necessary for effectively supporting children's understanding of STEM concepts. Field-based experiences in preschool or primary grade are included.
Learning Outcomes1Describe the principles of developmentally appropriate, evidence-based early childhood education and intervention as they relate to teaching STEM.
2Demonstrate an understanding of how children think about the integration of STEM concepts from birth through 3rd grade.
3Demonstrate understanding of critical approaches to scientific thinking.
4Understand key science knowledge and skills that children need to learn from birth through 3rd grade, including knowledge of a) science as inquiry, b) physical sciences, c) life sciences, d) earth and space sciences, and e) engineering, technology, and applications of science, with an emphasis on conceptual understanding and real-world problem solving.
5Demonstrate an understanding of Indiana State Standards for Science and Mathematics for children from birth through 3rd grade.
6Assess children's STEM knowledge, skills, and dispositions, and use assessment data to plan STEM education activities.
7Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate classroom STEM activities, including the selection and use of high-quality instructional materials and responding to the needs of diverse learners.
8Support development of students' competency in Science of Reading by integrating key components of evidence-based reading and writing instruction (e.g., oral language, comprehension, vocabulary, and written expression) into instruction to support children's understanding of STEM concepts.
9Demonstrate the dispositions and skills of a developing early childhood educator, as described in the course syllabus and in the practicum evaluation.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.