Hands-on Science Programme for Early Learners

16 July 2007

Questacon Science Play is an exciting new hands-on science programme for children aged 0-6 and their parents, carers and educators. Science Play aims to encourage young children to explore and learn about the world around them and is designed so each session has a range of activities which explores science themes such as light, sound, liquids and living things.

Questacon Science Play will tour nationally to regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. Science Play will commence its first tour to the Hunter Valley region of NSW on 16 July 2007, followed by tours to the Goldfields area of Victoria and the Darling Downs in Queensland.

Questacon Science Play has been developed at Questacon, in consultation with early childhood experts. With a combination of hands-on activity sessions and a booklet filled with engaging science activities, parents and carers can share in the fascination of science by doing intriguing investigations with their children.

“The purpose of Questacon Science Play is to actively stimulate children to seek and learn more. The Science Play booklet is an excellent resource, reinforcing the concepts explored in the play sessions. In this way, children with adult support, will think differently about the everyday things in their world, and with these new scientific lenses, explain their world in new ways,” said Professor Marilyn Fleer, Director for the Centre for Research into Childhood Studies, Monash University.

Play is a vital part of a child’s development – it forms the foundation of social, physical, and emotional skills necessary for success in school and in life. For example, puzzles and block building help lay the foundation for logical mathematical thinking, scientific reasoning, and cognitive problem solving.

“Questacon Science Play is a fantastic initiative. I commend Questacon for their commitment to developing skills in early scientific learning and perhaps even unearthing Australia’s future scientists,” said Prof Fleer.

“Questacon Science Play is the first national science outreach programme for early learners. Questacon is committed to making memorable learning experiences accessible to all Australians. With Questacon Science Play we now have a programme specially designed for early childhood and which will be taking to country areas ” said Allen Rooney, Questacon Outreach Manager.

Questacon Science Play is a free outreach programme funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training. Further information on can be found at scienceplay.questacon.edu.au