Science and Technology in Early Childhood Education

Online Professional Development Workshop | Early Childhood Education

1. Workshop Overview

Science and technology are part of children's everyday experiences as they explore, question, investigate and make sense of the world around them. Early childhood educators play an important role in nurturing this natural curiosity and creating meaningful opportunities for scientific thinking, discovery and problem-solving.

This workshop explores how educators can support science and technology learning through intentional teaching and the purposeful integration of digital technologies. Drawing on evidence-informed pedagogical approaches, it examines how technology can enhance children's investigations, develop scientific understanding and support learning through play and inquiry.

Educators will explore practical ways to recognise science and technology learning within everyday experiences, outdoor environments and across the early childhood curriculum. The workshop encourages thoughtful decisions about when, why and how technology can contribute to children's learning and development.

2. Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, educators will be able to:

• Understand how science and technology learning develops in early childhood and how ICT can enhance children's scientific investigations.

• Apply evidence-informed teaching strategies to support scientific thinking, curiosity, inquiry and problem-solving.

• Select and use developmentally appropriate digital technologies and other resources that meaningfully contribute to children's learning.

• Develop and support children's scientific dispositions, including curiosity, questioning, exploration and willingness to investigate.

• Recognise and assess children's developing scientific thinking, knowledge, understanding and technological capabilities.

• Build confidence and competence in making purposeful decisions about ICT integration within their own teaching practice.

3. Topics Covered

This workshop brings together research-informed approaches, practical teaching strategies and opportunities to apply learning within early childhood settings.

Understanding Science and Technology in Early Childhood

Explore the meaning of science, technology and STEM in early childhood education, including how young children develop scientific ideas and encounter technology through play, exploration and everyday experiences.

How Young Children Learn Science

Examine children's natural curiosity, scientific thinking, learning through play and inquiry, scientific dispositions and the importance of rich learning environments that encourage investigation and discovery.

Intentional Teaching and Digital Pedagogy

Develop strategies for scaffolding, effective questioning, sustained shared thinking and selecting technologies that genuinely support children's scientific investigations, understanding and learning.

Designing Meaningful Science and Technology Experiences

Discover how to support children's investigations, technological problem-solving and purposeful ICT integration through everyday experiences, outdoor learning and meaningful connections across the early childhood curriculum.

Recognising and Assessing Children's Learning

Learn to recognise and document children's developing scientific thinking, knowledge, understanding, technological capabilities and learning dispositions. Explore how meaningful observations and evidence can inform future teaching decisions and extend children's investigations.

4. Applying Learning to Practice

Professional learning becomes meaningful when educators can apply new knowledge to their everyday teaching.

Throughout this workshop, educators are encouraged to examine their existing science and technology practices, identify opportunities for improvement and make purposeful changes that support children's learning.

Through the Academy's Theory into Practice approach, members can:

• Learn at their own level: Apply strategies appropriate to their current ICT capability, from developing confidence in their own teaching to supporting colleagues and leading improvements.

• Investigate their own practice: Use the Wisdom AI Search Tool to explore professional questions and identify evidence-informed teaching strategies.

• Put learning into action: Trial manageable approaches within their own early childhood setting and observe how these contribute to children's investigations and understanding.

• Reflect and improve: Use the Membership Workbook to critically reflect on teaching decisions, experiences and professional growth.

• Learn with other educators: Share experiences, practical ideas and insights through the Academy Community.

The aim is not simply to introduce more technology into early childhood education. It is to help educators develop the professional knowledge, confidence and judgement to use technology when it genuinely enhances children's learning.

Imagine what you could achieve in just 90 days!

Take the first step towards improving your digital pedagogy with the ICT in Education Teacher Academy.

Your first 90 days are an opportunity to:

• Month 1 – Question your practice: Identify one aspect of your teaching you want to improve.

• Month 2 – Deepen your understanding: Explore evidence-informed strategies and put new ideas into practice.

• Month 3 – Reflect and grow: Consider what you've learned, recognise your progress and decide what to explore next.

With access to online workshops, practical resources, the Wisdom AI Search Tool and a supportive educator community, you can follow a professional learning journey shaped by your questions, your teaching and your goals.

Start with 90 days. Keep growing for as long as you choose.