Bright Minds: STEM Play for Infants and Toddlers

Page 1

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Question 1 - 20 points

1. Sharna and her teacher are exploring an experiment called Magic Milk. Her teacher pours some milk into a pie tin and drops food coloring on top. She tells Sharna what she is doing and why, explaining the colors that she drops on top of the milk. Next, the teacher dips a Q-tip in dish soap and hands it to Sharna, encouraging her to dip it in the milk. Sharna dips the Q-tip and exclaims “wow” when the colors move and swirl.

a. How could her teacher support her STEM discovery and play in this situation?

Sharna's teacher should just let her explore the magic milk on her own. Interfering would undermine the exploration and STEM experience that Sharna is having. Just being present is more than enough for the teacher to do.Sharna's teacher should empty the pie tin and refill it with milk to begin the experiment all over again but this time let Sharna put the food coloring in herself and dip the Q tip in dish soap. This way Sharna has ownership of the experience and that is a primary goal of STEM.Sharna's teacher should encourage Sharna to explore the moving colors by asking questions and making observations with Sharna as she explains to Sharna what is happening to the colors.She can also join the exploration herself becoming a partner in the learning.

Correct!

Sharna's teacher should encourage Sharna to explore the moving colors by asking questions and making observations with Sharna as she explains to Sharna what is happening to the colors.She can also join the exploration herself becoming a partner in the learning.

You have provided an incorrect answer

The correct answer is: Sharna's teacher should encourage Sharna to explore the moving colors by asking questions and making observations with Sharna as she explains to Sharna what is happening to the colors.She can also join the exploration herself becoming a partner in the learning.

Page 2

Question 2 - 20 Points

1. An infant classroom is in need of a new sensory material that supports STEM. The teacher places several different pine cones in a large shallow bin and places it on the floor for an exploration experience.

b. How does this support STEM?

The pine cones are an invitation to explore and discover new textures, shapes, colors, sizes and smells. Infants can explore them with supervision and become familiar with the materials.The teacher is giving children an opportunity to learn early literacy skills by comparing and contrasting pine cones with their peers.Pine cones are not supportive of STEM because they are natural and not man made, therefore they should not be used for STEM play.

Correct!

The pine cones are an invitation to explore and discover new textures, shapes, colors, sizes and smells. Infants can explore them with supervision and become familiar with the materials.

You have provided an incorrect answer

The correct answer is: The pine cones are an invitation to explore and discover new textures, shapes, colors, sizes and smells. Infants can explore them with supervision and become familiar with the materials.

Page 3

Question 3 - 10 Points

For this question, consider the scenario we discussed on the previous page:

An infant classroom is in need of a new sensory material that supports STEM. The teacher places several different pine cones in a large shallow bin and places it on the floor for an exploration experience.

c. How could the teacher use the pine cone exploration to support STEM play for infants in a developmentally appropriate way?

Provide magnifying glasses and tweezers to further the exploration of the materials and encourage analytical thinking.Sit with the infants and encourage their exploration while communicating about the pine cones.Provide open-ended art supplies along with the pine cones to allow children to express their creativity.

Correct!

Sit with the infants and encourage their exploration while communicating about the pine cones.

You have provided an incorrect answer

The correct answer is: Sit with the infants and encourage their exploration while communicating about the pine cones.

Page 4

Question 4 - 20 points

1. Lawrence builds block towers and structures every day and really enjoys the play experience. Suddenly his teacher notices that he avoids that area of the classroom.

d. What might his teacher do to support STEM play with the blocks?

The teacher should talk to Lawrence and find out if something is bothering him. He usually loves the blocks and this behavior is unlike him.The teacher should consider the other children in the classroom and see if they have broken or misused the blocks in any way. If the blocks are broken or unusable it will hinder the STEM play in the classroom for all students.The teacher should provide extra materials that can be used in conjunction with the blocks in order to pique Lawrence's interest and support his STEM play.

Correct!

The teacher should provide extra materials that can be used in conjunction with the blocks in order to pique Lawrence's interest and support his STEM play.

You have provided an incorrect answer

The correct answer is: The teacher should provide extra materials that can be used in conjunction with the blocks in order to pique Lawrence's interest and support his STEM play.

Page 5

Question 5 - 10 Points

1. Infant teacher Miss Roberta sits with a group of young infants and shakes a maraca.

e. How might she support STEM concepts while playing with the infants and the maraca?

Miss Roberta can sing a song and shake the maraca at the same time.Miss Roberta can let the infants take turns holding the maraca, encouraging them to shake it and listen to it.Miss Roberta can use the maraca during meal time to combine music with feeding.

Correct!

Miss Roberta can let the infants take turns holding the maraca, encouraging them to shake it and listen to it.

You have provided an incorrect answer

Miss Roberta can let the infants take turns holding the maraca, encouraging them to shake it and listen to it.

Page 6

Question 6 - 20 Points

A toddler class is outside on the playground when the teacher notices that several children are jumping off the first step of the big toy. The teacher gets a bouncy ball and goes to the group to further their STEM play.

f. If you were this teacher, how would you use the ball to further the STEM play of this group?

I would show them an example of how the ball reacts when dropped from different heights from the big toy steps and encourage them to try it out as well.I would encourage the children to stop jumping from the big toy as that is dangerous and unacceptable no matter the height.I would show the children a bouncy ball with swirling colors asking them to recall the names of the colors. Next I would allow them to express their creativity with colors.

Correct!

I would show them an example of how the ball reacts when dropped from different heights from the big toy steps and encourage them to try it out as well.

You have provided an incorrect answer

Correct answer: I would show them an example of how the ball reacts when dropped from different heights from the big toy steps and encourage them to try it out as well.