Programme and Practice
Children are open to, and curious about, everyday and natural phenomena. The practice-oriented "Haus der kleinen Forscher" continuing professional development (CPD) programme supports early childhood educators and primary school teachers in facilitating children’s processes of inquiry.
From free online courses to on-site workshops, teachers and educators benefit in a variety of ways from participating in the "Haus der kleinen Forscher" CPD programme. Benefits include:
- strong practice orientation and individual support,
- a wide range of topics and new ideas,
- ideas for inquiry-based science projects using ordinary everyday materials,
- a platform for exchanging experiences and successes with other teachers and educators,
- scientifically-grounded methods and approaches, and
- ideas to foster the basic skills of children between the ages of three and ten.
Wide Range of Topics and Pedagogical Resources
The workshops of the "Haus der kleinen Forscher" CPD programme cover a wide range of topics that are being developed continuously. Topics relate to science and technology (e.g., as "investigating water", "energy and electricity", "sounds and noises", and "magnetism"), and may also focus on how to implement Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). As a rule, the workshops include a pedagogic focus area that specifically addresses the way in which children’s processes of exploration and inquiry can be facilitated. Pedagogical resources, such as brochures and sets of cards for pedagogical staff, teachers, and children, are provided for each topic.
See also the pedagogic approach of our programme.
Pedagogic Vision
Certification as a "Haus der kleinen Forscher"
It is the Foundation’s aim to support quality development in early childhood education and care centres, after-school centres, and primary schools in Germany. To recognise these institutions' commitment to inquiry-based science education, and to make it publicly visible, the Foundation awards the "Haus der kleinen Forscher" (Little Scientists' House) certificate with an accompanying plaque. Educational institutions that regularly take their students on "voyages of scientific discovery" can apply for certification as a "Haus der kleinen Forscher".
The criteria for certification are based on the quality aspects of the "German Kindergarten Seal of Quality" developed by Professor Dr Wolfgang Tietze, Manager of PädQUIS gGmbH, and on the "Process-Oriented Quality Criteria for Science Education" formulated by Professor Dr Jörg Ramseger.