Pedagogy of Play

On September 2, 2024, families and friends came together at the Saskatchewan Science Centre for the Labour Day Play Day event. It was a day full of fun activities and shows, with something for everyone to enjoy and learn from. The place was buzzing with energy and excitement as visitors explored the different stations and exhibits.

One of the booths was run by Nanan STEM Academy, known for its unique educational approach. Their booth was busy all day, with activities that kept kids and parents engaged in learning about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

The fun and engaging stations at the booth were robotics, Minecraft, and Snap Circuits. At the Robotics programming station, children and parents learned how to code and control the Edison robot. It was a fun way for them to practice problem-solving and logic while making the robots move through courses. The Ozobots were also fun to use. These tiny robots followed lines that participants drew in different colors, which controlled the robot’s movement. Also, the Minecraft Education Edition station fostered participants’ creativity. They worked together to build virtual structures, which helped them learn teamwork, problem-solving, and design skills. At the Snap Circuits station, kids explored the basics of electronics. They used circuits to make lights, fans, and buzzers work, sparking their interest in engineering through hands-on activities.

What made this event impactful was its use of exploratory learning through a pedagogy of play. Kids were encouraged to try new things, experiment, and learn by doing, which made the activities not only fun but also memorable.