The creation of the activities included in the Early Age Investigation Program (PIPE, in Spanish), implemented by the Ministry of Science’s Explora Program, was led by a team of professionals from different areas, brought together by the Universidad de Concepción’s Interactive Center of Science, Art, and Technology (CICAT, in Spanish). This didactic material is already being implemented throughout the country.
By Darío Cuellar / cicat@udec.cl / Photographs CICAT
Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Technology are the modules that PIPE, the Early Age Investigation Program, the result of an intense work started in 2019, includes. This process included the creative challenge of building a story for each unit, which would be attractive for
the pedagogical teams to implement, and for early age students. In addition, each activity was thought out so it can be developed with accessible low-cost materials, and thus be implemented in different places and contexts.
Competences model
PIPE is immersed within a Competences Model for the Valuation of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, created several years ago by the Explora Program. This includes work on seven technical competencies, linked to the way scientific knowledge is built, namely: acting with curiosity; seeking investigation opportunities; describing solution alternatives; designing a research project; implementing the project; analyzing results; and, reporting the work done.
These along with four transversal competencies, go beyond the scientific work and allow linking experiences and lessons for life in general: learning for innovation; learning from the process;
using critical thinking; and, learning with others.
PIPE considers that the key whereby knowledge is generated is through questions, which arise from the innate interest and curiosity children show from their first months of life.
Teamwork
The creation of this material was led by an interdisciplinary team, with the educational area key. This included three staff members of the Faculty of Education of Universidad de Concepción, Loretto Pettinelli, Romina Villalobos, and Jocelyn Bustos, who commented: “We made
contributions that consider the view from playing, inclusion, the diversification of learning, the inclusion of the family, and the pertinence of learning experiences considering the traits of nursery and kindergarten children. Taking part in this initiative was, without a doubt, an
enormous challenge, as we had to develop knowledge regarding approaching science from an
investigation model, safeguarding the fulfillment of pedagogical principles and the core issues behind the development of Preschool Education practices. Preschool teachers now have a tool that will let them provide quality learning experiences that promote the development of scientific competencies in Chilean children.”
Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Gacitua, CICAT Director, stated. “For us as CICAT, it is a tremendous privilege to be part of the team of authors of this material that, today, has an influence on thousands of children throughout the country. We are convinced that the way to promote the
development of a science culture in Chile must start from an early age, and PIPE, through Explora’s regional teams and preschool teachers, make this possible”.
Impact
Marcela Colombres, Director of the Ministry of Science’s Explora Program, comments regarding the result of the PIPE implementation and creation process: “We are currently implementing
this in 16 regions in our country, covering close to 7,000 girls and boys that could be the stars of their own curiosity in the early stage of their lives, a fundamental pillar in the development of their scientific competences, which as we have seen, are competences for life”.
PIPE is available, completely free of charge and in virtual format, and thanks to a recent linkup between the Explora Program and the EducarChile educational portal, it is also housed on that platform.
For more information: To access the notebooks, review contents, and download the activities, the program’s official website is www.explora.cl/pipe
Last modified: 1 de junio de 2023
