I. Teaching science and engineering in early childhood settings. Science inquiry and the use of "The Early Years" column to support science and engineering learning
II. Introduction to the topics of "The Early Years" column entries. Nature of science and science process skills
Mixing and making a change: chemical science
Learning about plants and animals: biological science
Designing and building to solve a problem: engineering
III. "The Early Years" column and companion blog. Introduction to "The Early Years" column and companion blog
What can young children do as scientists?
Collards and caterpillars
Counting a culture of mealworms
Observing with magnifiers
Bring on Spring: planting peas
Does light go through it? - -Hear that?
Developing observation skills
Reading stories and making predictions
Water leaves "footprints" - -The STEM of inquiry
Inviting parents to school
The nature of science in early childhood
Appendix 1: Additional resources for science inquiry and engineering design
Appendix 2: National Science Teachers Association Early Childhood Science Education position statement.
