Brief Description: An evaluation of the first Science in Play exhibit focusing on free, loose parts play. The Kentucky Science Center creates different activity zones that challenge children from toddler-age 5 (and beyond) to investigate, use objects as tools, shop for shapes, textures and colors, explore, build, climb, predict and test – all through experimental and imaginative play. (See more specifics at the KSC website.)

Presentation:

Playing With Science: Investigating Exploratory Behavior of Preschool Children at a Science Museum Exhibit. Poster presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA
Presenters: Jill Jacobi Vessels, Stephanie Philipp, Thomas Tretter & Sherri Brown

Papers:

The role of materials in fostering preschoolers’ scientific exploratory behavior. Early Education and Development (under review)
Authors: Jill Jacobi Vessels, Thomas Tretter, Stephanie Philipp