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SCMA Childminders: Think STEM: ‘Science Inquiry’ and ‘STEM Outdoors’
This badge is awarded to childminders that can demonstrate their knowledge of their understanding of the quality play opportunities of science and nature, the importance and benefits of why they should encourage STEM daily and how to explore and understand STEM learning outdoors with young children.
Completing this Open Badge will enable participants to develop their own understanding of STEM and the vital role they play in supporting children’s learning using Science Inquiry and Outdoor activities; reflect on what they currently do to support children’s learning; and how STEM links to the Curriculum for Excellence.
Childminders should be able to demonstrate:
• Their understanding of the quality play opportunities of science and nature
• The importance and benefits of why they should encourage STEM daily
• How to explore and understand STEM learning outdoors with young children
To earn this badge, you will need to:
• Have completed the SCMA Think STEM: Science Inquiry and STEM Outdoors CPL course or completed the SCMA Think STEM: Science Inquiry and STEM Outdoors e-Learning programme.
Tell us the following:
1. What is your understanding of STEM Outdoors and why should it be encouraged?
2. How you will plan three areas of Science Inquiry in your childminding setting?
3. How can children be encouraged to continue exploring STEM at home?
4. Tell us how you will use what you have learnt on the course to improve and develop your practice in relation to Science Inquiry and STEM Outdoors?
This badge does not require you to hold any other badges although you must have completed the SCMA Think STEM: Science Inquiry and STEM Outdoors CPL course or completed the SCMA Think STEM: Science Inquiry and STEM Outdoors e-Learning programme.
Provide a statement, of around 200 words, telling us why you meet the criteria for this badge. Read the criteria carefully before submitting your statement, as your application will be declined if you don’t cover all of it within your evidence. Submit your statement using the badge application form below.
Use each point from the badge criteria as a heading or number your responses 1 – 4. This will help you structure your evidence. Write something for each point in the criteria e.g. if you are asked to work through a learning resource, you might say “I worked through the resource for half-an-hour each day between Monday 1 April and Friday 5 April and spoke to another childminder or professional about my responses to the exercises within it”. Stick to the criteria and don’t mention anything that isn’t relevant to it.
Badge issuer
Scottish Childminding Association
The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) is the only organisation dedicated to supporting childminders in Scotland. Our aim is to promote childminding as a quality childcare service. We do this in part by helping SCMA childminders to be the best they can be.
Submit your application
The SCMA Open Badge system relies on trust. We trust that the evidence you provide will be of your own work and based on your own skills and knowledge. By submitting an application you agree to the following statement: “In studying and completing the activities for this badge, I confirm that all the work provided as evidence will be my own.” The SCMA will revoke a badge if the evidence provided is discovered to have been the work of someone else.
Your evidence, name, and email address will be sent to the organisation who issue this badge