Sensing Science through Modeling: Developing Kindergarten Students' Understanding of Matter and Its Changes

The Sensing Science through Modeling Matter: Kindergarten Students’ Development of Understanding of Matter and Its Changes project has developed and researched a technology-enriched curriculum to support learning about matter and its changes at the kindergarten level. Traditionally, particle-based worlds are introduced in upper elementary school when children already hold incorrect ideas that are difficult to change. Early learners have significant—and highly untapped—potential for understanding abstract concepts and reasoning in sophisticated ways.

Co-PI(s): Lynn Bryan and Ala Samarapungavan, Purdue University