Arlitt Professional Educator Learning Series (APELS)
The Arlitt Professional Educators Learning Series (APELS) provides early childhood educators with in-depth professional learning opportunities that promote reflective thinking and high-quality practices in early childhood education. The STEM in the Playscape modules are the first to be released, focusing on connecting STEM learning through children's exploration of nature.
The Arlitt Center for Education, Research & Sustainability serves as a research site for faculty and students, acts as an observation and training resource for the community, and actively leads initiatives related to early childhood education, human development, educative environments, and education for sustainability.
For more information about programs available through APELs such as in-person learning and study tours, please contact Leslie Kochanowski.
STEM in the Playscape
About this Series
STEM in the Playscape digital modules emerged from an NSF (National Science Foundation) funded research study, and are the first APELS training modules in the series.
In each of the three modules you will view a video at your own pace that introduces you to the main concept. The information is presented in a conversational way through a story that unfolds within an early childhood program. Supporting resources are embedded throughout to provide a platform for deeper investigation into a topic.
Cost: Free
Dates: Access anytime
Here's how to get started:
- Watch the short introductory video to learn more about the program and how to navigate the learning modules.
- View each module by clicking the Access Module button and filling out a short form to receive a link to the module. If you save save the link, you will fill out the form only once for each module, and can return to them as many times as you wish.
Learning Modules
Main Concept: Nature play enhances: Social Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Approaches Toward Learning, Physical Health and Motor Development, Language and Literacy Development.
Cost: FREE (To receive a certificate for contact hours, you can apply for continuing education credit for a $15 fee after completing the module.)
Dates: Access anytime. The first time you access the module, you will fill out a form to receive the link. Save the link, and you can use it to access the module as many time as you wish.
Main Concept: Children begin exploring early STEM concepts, for intance, when they build literacy skills, they start forming knowledge about fundamental concepts like print awareness and vocabulary.
Cost: FREE (To receive a certificate for contact hours, you can apply for continuing education credit for a $15 fee after completing the module.)
Dates: Access anytime. The first time you access the module, you will fill out a form to receive the link. Save the link, and you can use it to access the module as many time as you wish
Main Concept: Teaching strategies engage children such as modeling positive attitudes towards nature and increasing children's access to nature.
Cost: FREE (To receive a certificate for contact hours, you can apply for continuing education credit for a $15 fee after completing the module.)
Dates: Access anytime. The first time you access the module, you will fill out a form to receive the link. Save the link, and you can use it to access the module as many time as you wish
Main Concept: Engage programs ready to take the next steps to make their nature playscape a reality.
Cost: FREE (To receive a certificate for contact hours, you can apply for continuing education credit for a $15 fee after completing the module.)
Dates: Access anytime. The first time you access the module, you will fill out a form to receive the link. Save the link, and you can use it to access the module as many time as you wish.
Earn Continuing Education Credits
After successfully completing the STEM in the Playscape modules, you may apply for continuing education credit by completing an application and professional development reflections form. Your submissions will be reviewed and, upon successful completion of the requirements, you will be sent a certificate of completion for contact hours via email. The modules are self-paced and participants can earn 0.5 contact hours per module.