Creative Little Scientists

Bishop Grosseteste University is part of a group of European Universities involved in a European Commission's 7th Framework Programme research project entitled Creative Little Scientists: Enabling Creativity through Science and Mathematics in Preschool and First Years of Primary Education.

Members of the University's staff, Jane Johnston (lead researcher 2011-2013) Ashley Compton and Alison Riley are working with early years science and mathematics experts from:

• the Institute of Education, UK
• the Open University, UK
• the University of Eastern Finland
• Artevelde University College in Belgium
• Goethe University Frankfurt
• the University of Minho in Portugal
• the National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics in Romania
• the Université de Picardie Jules Verne, France, the University of Malta, led by academics from Ellinogermaniki Agogi in Greece.

The research is being carried out over a two year period in nine European countries, chosen because they represent a wide spectrum of educational, economic, social and cultural contexts, as well as a wide spectrum of practices regarding science and mathematics education in general, science and mathematics education in early years, and creativity in education. The BG team will lead on some aspects of the project (e.g. developing the conceptual framework) but be part of the team that collects data that map, compare and analyse existing practices in creative early years science and mathematics, provide directions for teacher training and disseminate the research findings.

More information about the project >>>

More information about Emergent Science >>>

News from the project

Creative Little Scientists Newsletter - November 2012
Creative Little Scientists Newsletter - April 2012

Participating in the project

The Creative Little Scientists consortium brings together early years practitioners, academics and researchers from 9 European countries (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and the UK) and comprises expertise of the highest level and quality in the areas of science and mathematics education in early childhood, creativity in education, cognitive psychology, comparative educational studies, and teacher training. It is a wide ranging project in a field that is being seen as increasingly important in the current educational and economical climate.

Far from being a solely academic research project, we are actively involving current teachers to inform the project as we look to develop a picture of existing practices in schools across Europe, as well as develop policy guidelines and teacher training material. As such, teachers currently working in pre-school and primary Education are participating in one or both of the phases of research:

• First phase: by completing the online questionnaire (completed)
• Second phase: by taking part in the in-depth research conducted by the project and collaborating with researchers through classroom observations and interviews (January - April 2013).

There is also a Creative Little Scientists Training Summer School in Crete, Greece, 30 June- 5 July 2013. The training course will be based on the teacher education curriculum design principles and guidelines formulated in the EU-funded project Creative Little Scientists (www.creative-little-scientists.eu) and aims to promote creative approaches to science and mathematics learning in preschool and the first years of primary school. More specifically, the objectives of the training course specify that teachers as a result of the course will feel empowered to: use inquiry-based and creative science education approaches; have positive attitudes towards learning and teaching science, mathematics and creativity; act as innovators, researchers and reflective practitioners; and engage in communities and partnerships with other stakeholders (other teachers, parents, professional associations, experts, etc.).

Participation in this event is funded by the European Commission through the Comenius and Grundtvig programmes: therefore interested teachers or trainers can simply contact their relevant National Agency. The list of eligible countries (EU ones plus Turkey, Croatia, FYROM) and the contact details of the National Agencies can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc1208_en.htm

The deadline for applications is January 16th, 2013.

For any further information and details of how to apply please contact Dr. Fani Stylianidou (fani@ea.gr) and Dimitris Rossis (drossis@ea.gr). See also the Summer School brochure.