The Contribution of the Health Crisis to Young Children’s Nano-literacy through STEAM Education


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Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51724/hjstemed.v2i1.18

Keywords:

STEAM education, digital technologies, mobile applications, nano-technology, early childhood, size and scale, virus

Abstract

Nano-Science and nano-Technology (NST) is a new interdisciplinary field that promises to provide solutions to timeless global challenges. Given that NST deals with elements that cannot be observed with the naked eye, their understanding by young children undoubtedly requires appropriate teaching methods. These distinct aspects of NST align well with the capabilities of smart mobile devices, the critical feature of which is their ability to display interactive simulations and playful visualizations. This article aims to emphasize the feasibility of empirical research of how digital technologies support NST teaching to young children in the wake of the sudden pandemic outbreak based on a comprehensive literature review. With the virus as the central entity of nanoscale, following the current demands of the unprecedented health crisis, and developing appropriate educational applications in digital games, young children can be introduced to the fundamental concepts of NST.  NST is an interdisciplinary field that can enhance children's perceptions of the interconnectedness of nature with different fields of knowledge, such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM).

Author Biography

Pandora Dorouka, PhD candidate, School of Education-Department of Preschool Education, The University of Crete

Pandora Dorouka is a PhD candidate in the Department of
Preschool Education at the University of Crete, Greece. She has graduated
from the Department of Primary Education of the University of Ioannina,
Greece, and received her MSc in Education from the Department of Preschool
Education of the University of Crete. She has been working many years as a
primary school teacher in public primary schools and private educational
centres. She has published a couple of articles in journals and has presented a
few papers in conferences. Her research interests include science teaching and
learning at early childhood education, STEAM education, ICT in preschool and
primary education, mobile learning and nanotechnology in early childhood.

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Published

2021-12-13

How to Cite

Dorouka, P., Papadakis , S. ., & Kalogiannakis, M. . (2021). The Contribution of the Health Crisis to Young Children’s Nano-literacy through STEAM Education. Hellenic Journal of STEM Education, 2(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.51724/hjstemed.v2i1.18