The Preschool at the German International School Sydney (GISS) has proudly been recertified as a Little Scientists’ House for the sixth time, marking more than 10 years as part of the international Little Scientists network.

As part of the recertification process, the Preschool team developed an exciting inquiry-based STEM project focused on acoustics and sound. The project emerged naturally from the children’s everyday play with musical instruments in the preschool environment. As the children explored different sounds, volumes, and rhythms, they began asking questions about how sound works and what makes sounds different from one another.

Guided by their teachers, the children investigated the research question: “What can you hear?” Through hands-on experiments and collaborative discussions, they explored sound and its properties while learning about the research cycle in an age-appropriate and engaging way.

The project encouraged both children and educators to learn together in a co-constructive environment, where curiosity, experimentation, and shared discovery formed the foundation of learning. It provided opportunities for the children to make observations, test ideas, and deepen their understanding of acoustics and the human body through meaningful STEM experiences.

Early Childhood Teacher Catherine reflected on the process by saying:

“We might not be scientists, but we can certainly learn alongside the children.”

GISS Preschool is incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful to the Little Scientists organisation for its ongoing support of early childhood STEM education.

🎥 Watch the full Little Scientists House project interview here: