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Young Scientist Series
The Young Scientist series is a science curriculum for children three to five years old. The series makes science the work and play of exploring materials and phenomena, while providing opportunities for children to learn from that experience. Young children may do this as they engage in fantasy and dramatic playcreating magic potions at the water table, building a home for the make-believe turtle in the block area, or becoming a young naturalist. They may do science as they challenge themselves or invent a game. "Who can build the highest tower or empty the water bucket the fastest?" They also may engage in exploration as young scientists, wondering and questioning and seeking to make sense of the world. "What would happen if I rolled the ball from the very top of the ramp? Where does my worm need to live? I wonder if I can find an anthill near the one we found yesterday? As they explore and interact with one another, young children try to make sense of what they see and do. They develop early theories about why things are the way they are, act the way they do, and how they relate to one another. As their experience broadens and their thinking deepens, their ideas and theories become more and more plausible and closer and closer to current understandings in science.

Posted:
Dec 22, 2009

Funded by the National Science Foundation as a supplement to Award #0634149.
Copyright 2011 TERC.

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