Tinker, make, engineer--solving problems from picture books Can you build a sturdy house that is safe from the big, bad wolf? Imagine your dream car. What special features does it have? What can you use to create it? Teaching and learning STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is more accessible than ever before! Children will be inspired, delighted, and challenged as they use everyday materials and STEM concepts to design and build solutions to problems faced by characters in their favorite books. This practical, hands-on resource includes - 25 engineering design challenges appropriate for children ages 3-8 - Suggestions for creating a makerspace environment where children can tinker with materials, use tools to make creations, and improve on their ideas - A list of 100 picture books that encourage STEM-rich exploration and learning - Questions and ideas for expanding children's understanding of STEM concepts - A planning template so you can create your own design challenges Use engaging children's books together with the guidance and ideas in this book to extend children's problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
About the Author: Cate Heroman's passion is to help children be successful learners and socially competent individuals. A nationally recognized educator and author--her numerous publications include The Creative Curriculum for Preschool and Teaching Strategies GOLD--Cate's professional experiences center on early childhood education. She has been an early childhood classroom teacher, state administrator, trainer, facilitator, keynote speaker, author, consultant, and developer of curriculum and assessment materials. She has a deep understanding not only of what children learn but also how they learn. Cate is giving back to her community through her volunteer efforts with Knock Knock Children's Museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, serving children birth to age eight. She has been instrumental in establishing a makerspace in the museum and has spent countless hours studying and researching what making, tinkering, and design engineering look like with young learners. While much of the information available on these topics is for older students and adults, practical guidance for early childhood educators is limited. This book began as a tool for museum educators. During the field testing and piloting of the activities, however, Cate discovered a clear demand for this type of resource for educators in preschool through third grade classrooms. Cate received a master's degree from Louisiana State University, taught in East Baton Rouge Parish Schools, served as an early childhood administrator at the Louisiana Department of Education, and was vice president of Teaching Strategies, LLC. She is education chair and vice chair of Knock Knock Children's Museum in Baton Rouge. She is married with two children and four grandchildren.Cate Heroman's passion is to help children be successful learners and socially competent individuals. A nationally recognized educator and author--her numerous publications include The Creative Curriculum for Preschool and Teaching Strategies GOLD--Cate's professional experiences center on early childhood education. She has been an early childhood classroom teacher, state administrator, trainer, facilitator, keynote speaker, author, consultant, and developer of curriculum and assessment materials. She has a deep understanding not only of what children learn but also how they learn. Cate is giving back to her community through her volunteer efforts with Knock Knock Children's Museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, serving children birth to age eight. She has been instrumental in establishing a makerspace in the museum and has spent countless hours studying and researching what making, tinkering, and design engineering look like with young learners. While much of the information available on these topics is for older students and adults, practical guidance for early childhood educators is limited. This book began as a tool for museum educators. During the field testing and piloting of the activities, however, Cate discovered a clear demand for this type of resource for educators in preschool through third grade classrooms. Cate received a master's degree from Louisiana State University, taught in East Baton Rouge Parish Schools, served as an early childhood administrator at the Louisiana Department of Education, and was vice president of Teaching Strategies, LLC. She is education chair and vice chair of Knock Knock Children's Museum in Baton Rouge. She is married with two children and four grandchildren.