SCMA is delighted to launch our new #ThinkSTEM learning resources, designed specifically for childminders in Scotland and coming soon exclusively for SCMA members.
As a market-leader in developing STEM-based learning resources aimed at the early years, SCMA has worked alongside the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) to develop our latest Continuing Professional Learning (CPL) courses, which will soon be available online via our easy-to-use e-Learning platform or as Interactive Learning.
Think STEM: An Introduction for Childminders and Exploring Your Senses
This is starting point for your STEM learning, and the aim of this course is to recognise and promote STEM opportunities in your childminding setting, including:
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Understanding STEM and how to implement STEM in your childminding setting
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Providing quality play opportunities to promote STEM learning
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Becoming more confident using STEM to explore the ‘Human Senses’
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Recognising where STEM supports the Curriculum for Excellence
Once you have completed the first ‘Think STEM’ course, you will have the opportunity to take the next step and develop your understanding of STEM and how to enhance the STEM within your service, with ‘Science Inquiry and STEM Outdoors’.
Think STEM: Science Inquiry and STEM Outdoors
The aim of this course is to promote STEM science inquiry skills and STEM outdoor opportunities in your childminding setting, including:
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Providing quality play opportunities for children to learn more about science and nature
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Recognising and encouraging STEM activities within your outdoor learning
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Becoming a confident STEM facilitator in your setting and use science inquiry skills
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Recognising where STEM fits into the Curriculum for Excellence
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The subjects may sound better suited to a classroom than your living room, but it’s amazing how many day-to-day activities and areas of play involve these skills.
Being aware of the STEM learning and play opportunities, you – as a high-quality professional childminder - can offer an invaluable range of experiences and activities to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
FREE #ThinkSTEM Learning Opportunity
Thanks to funding from Education Scotland, SCMA is able to offer a number of free STEM learning opportunities. These will be offered on a first-come first-served basis, but first we need to gauge interest from our childminders members and find out more.
If you’re interested in taking part in STEM learning from SCMA, please complete our short online questionnaire at
surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SCMA_STEM and tell us how you will be incorporating STEM into your childminding practice. This survey opens on Monday 30 September and will close on Friday 25 October – add these dates to your diary and don’t delay!
SCMA is launching a whole host of STEM learning and networking opportunities, exclusively for our childminder members, including e-Learning and Interactive Learning courses, the chance to work towards a STEM Open Badge and a series of STEM Network Meetings across Scotland.
Get started with STEM today, with your #ThinkSTEM Activity Pack from SCMA alongside the autumn issue of your
Childminding magazine and look out for the latest updates on STEM learning from SCMA at childminding.org.