NAVADA

The NAVADA project is based at the Copenhagen University College (KP). KP aims with the project to strengthen scientific literacy for children aged 0-6 years. This will be achieved by establishing a unified knowledge and research environment designed to foster children’s curiosity and wonder, and to provide them with experiences in finding answers to their questions. The goal is for children to connect their experiences in nature with their understanding and interest in science and sustainability.

Centre for Research in Science Education and Communication (FNUG) is involved in the project by hosting two Ph.D. students. As primary supervisor they both have Professor Connie Svabo, Head of FNUG. During the project period the Ph.D. students Karen Bollingberg and Søren Krogh Hansen will become part of the research environment at FNUG.

Karen Bollingberg will investigate the prerequisites needed to develop educators' competence and self-confidence in creating and embedding science pedagogical play and learning environments in early childhood education settings. This includes exploring the organizational and institutional frameworks that support educators' science pedagogical skills and their work with science-focused play and learning environments. Her secondary supervisor is Professor Anja C. Andersen, who is also associated with FNUG.

Søren Krogh Hansen will explore how the development of an institutional mathematical space in early childhood education settings impacts science pedagogical play and learning environments and enhances children's scientific literacy. His research will provide new insights into how educators can identify, establish, and constitute a nature-oriented institutional space for mathematical awareness and formation in Danish day-care center.