ASDC Conference: Shaping the future of science together

Science centres and museums around the world are increasingly recognising the importance of Early Years audiences. Supporting our youngest audiences to have positive, meaningful experiences with STEM is critical to the future of science and technology, as we look to inspire the next generation of scientists, inventors and engineers.

At the Science Museum Group (SMG), we have an evidence-based, playful approach to learning centres children’s agency, which is always evolving in response to our ongoing research. The Early Years & Learning project, funded by the Helen Hamlyn Trust, exemplifies this approach.
This research is shaping and informing major galleries and public programmes across the Science Museum Group. Successful prototypes have also already been incorporated into an innovative new training course for Early Years education practitioners; Exploring Science Through Play.

In this interactive workshop, participants will have the opportunity to try out the most successful prototypes from the research project for themselves. We will hear about the work going on at Eureka, and discuss best practice when engaging Early Years audiences.

Participants will also be able to share their own experiences with Early Years engagement and discuss how to apply the most up-to-date research findings in their own spaces.