Osborne Park: Princeton Pre-school one of first in Australia to trial Stem pilot program

OSBORNE Park pre-schoolers are among the first in Australia to be part of a pilot program teaching science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) through fun, play-based apps and activities.

Princeton Pre-school is one of 100 Australian pre-schools, and five in Perth, selected to participate in the Federal Government’s Early Learning STEM Australia (ELSA) pilot.

The program gives children the opportunity to explore STEM practices at an early age through hands-on activities and digital learning.

Children will have access to four play-based apps throughout the year, with one released each term.

Pre-school director Alison Wade said the school was “ecstatic” to be participating.

“STEM learning is embedded throughout play based learning experiences and our intentional teaching practice every day,” she said.

“STEM in the early years provides an opportunity to support children to build these foundation skills and habits of mind in preparation for formal schooling and beyond.”

Stirling MHR Michael Keenan visited students at the pre-school and said the $6 million program helped children develop a wide range of skills including sorting and matching while learning about numbers and patterns.

“Through their learning, children are also encouraged to ask questions and reflect on what they are doing and why,” he said.

“It’s all about making science fun and accessible.”

“I would like to congratulate the staff at Princeton who are doing an incredible job teaching local children a range of important skills for the future, and I look forward to hearing of the results once the pilot is complete.”

MORE: Perth to host world first trials into coeliac disease vaccine

MORE: Osborne Park: police seek driver after Mitchell Freeway pursuit crash

MORE: Leda: man and woman charged over burglary of 86-year-old man’s home

MORE: WA Police officer stood down following CCC investigation into Fremantle tasering incident