PlayScape Research Project

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        During this research project, I was able to work as part of a larger team of senior researchers towards examining the relationship between children playing at PlayScapes and their STEM learning and development at the early age of 3-5 years old. PlayScapes are “nature playgrounds” where children get the change to explore nature and learn more about the natural physical interactions of the world and biological concepts including living and non-living things. My main role within this project was to conduct assessments of the children’s STEM development and process this collected data. 

        From this project, I learned how to work with yet another age group of children (3-5 year olds), and I learned how essential this stage of life is to learning and development. Children at this age are very curious and how adults react to this curiosity can largely shape the child’s future curiosity and inquisitiveness. This will significantly impact any future work I conduct with children and any future relationships I have with children if I become a pediatrician or even a parent. After all, it is quite fun to observe children’s curiosity and ponder over the simpler things in life with them!

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Below is a journal article discussing the impact of PlayScape settings on teacher interactions with students and how this guides student STEM development at an early age.  

Kloos, H., Maltbie, C., Brown, R., & Carr, V. (2018). Listening in: Spontaneous Teacher Talk on Playscapes. Creative Education, 9, 426-441.