How STEM Case Studies Transform Early Childhood Learning in Materials and Animal Science

Case: Materials Science

In March 2015, during the 3rd National STEM Forum, Zhuqiao Kindergarten in Jiading Industrial Zone engaged all teachers and students in STEM practice, focusing on the science of materials. The activity included three parts:

Science Exploration Area – Students chose and combined various material kits (elastic, water, rotation, optics, observation) to investigate scientific phenomena, fostering innovation and creativity.

Teacher Self‑Training – Teachers expanded the material set with fun items, shared observations, and discussed material properties to deepen their understanding.

STEM Course Practice – Partnering with the Technology Group and New Sprout Club, teachers provided abundant small scientific materials, encouraging children to explore autonomously and discover new phenomena.

Case: Animal Science

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum organized STEM activities around sheep during the Year of the Sheep exhibition, integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Ruminant Guessing Game – Primary students used puzzle pieces and AR 3D models on iPads to identify ruminants and learn bilingual scientific names.

Cloned Sheep “Dolly” – Role‑play demonstrations introduced biotechnology concepts and sparked interest in cloning.

Hands‑On Yarn Making – Students processed wool into yarn, linking material science and engineering principles.

Educational Evaluation – Post‑activity questionnaires with stratified sampling assessed the effectiveness of the STEM programs.

Reference: Yang Xianmin, Wang Juan, Wei Xuefeng. Internet+ Education: Learning Resource Construction and Development . Beijing: Electronic Industry Press.