Sunday, February 27, 2011

STEM Research

As part of my Montessori training, I have recently started a major component of the course of studies - the research project. As many of you are aware, a national discussion is underway on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. My research aims to show how the pre-school Montessori classroom - designed by a scientist and physician - is ideally suited to introducing children to these important topics.  To measure the efficacy of this method, I am currently documenting how specific State Standards in STEM are not only being met in the Montessori setting, but are also being exceeded. My research will demonstrate how a primary Montessori classroom, grounded in the design of the apparatus, supports the objectives of meeting and exceeding state and national standards in STEM.  Here is a little preview:

Learning Standard:  Counting and Cardinality
STUDENTS COUNT TO TELL THE NUMBER OF OBJECTS

Learning Standard:  Category of  Scale
STUDENTS OBSERVE DIFFERENCES IN SIZE

Learning Standard:  Category of Scale
STUDENTS OBSERVE DIFFERENCES OF SPEED
Yet again, Maria Montessori's approach to education proves to have been generations ahead of her time!  I feel strongly that my research shows relevance in today's discussions of educational reform in our country. 

3 comments:

  1. Great work...
    really its a good think how to design preschool children classroom...
    Montessori Schools

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  2. Sasha, I have never seen this work with the brown stair. Is that a marble that is being sent down the stairs? Please explain!

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    1. Yes, it is a marble. Watching it proceed down the Brown Stair allows children to observe differences in scale, specifically speed. The marble speeds up at it goes down the stair... The children enjoy experimenting how they can make the marble go faster or slower by manipulating the start (holding the marble higher, lower, etc.). Interestingly, this activity also gives an auditory impression to the child as the sound differs as the marble goes down the Brown Stair.

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