The Little Scientist

The Little Scientist is a scientific literacy program aimed at introducing children between the ages of 4 and 12+ to the wonderful and awe inspiring world of science. Through the use of an integrated and interactive spiral syllabus specifically designed to engage kids, the program seeks to instill in them a lifelong love for learning and a passion for the processes of scientific inquiry and discovery.

Hands on lesson plans expose children to activities that are designed to build their scientific literacy and provide a smooth transition into academic endeavours. The program covers a range of disciplines such as mathematics, logic, planetary sciences, physics, biology, chemistry and an array of other applied sciences.

Developed by science educators and subject matter experts, this unique syllabus incorporates a range of activities that encourage exploration and critical thinking in children. It is designed to nurture and develop a child’s conceptual framework, which will become the foundation for lifelong learning.

The program leverages an integrated approach to scientific literacy, which involves combining concepts and varying teaching methods to keep children interested. Hands on, practical learning and group critical thinking exercises are incorporated in order to encourage the development of essential problem solving and teamwork.

The syllabus made up of five modules, each comprising of ten units. Each unit focuses on developing a specific set of competencies by:

• Introducing students to the key basic concepts and terminologies used within the field of study;
• Exposing children to the major paradigms and ‘big ideas’ that describe fundamental concepts associated with a field of study;
• Developing in students a natural inquisitiveness and problem solving skills;
• Expanding students awareness of the integrated nature of scientific paradigms and concepts and;
• Developing in them an understanding of the application of concepts in science and technology beyond the classroom.

The program syllabus is based on the Ontario Curriculum for Science and Technology for grades 1 – 8 (2007). The entire curriculum can be downloaded here.