STEM Hour: Conceptual PlayWorlds with Laureate Professor Marilyn Fleer

Join us for a very special STEM Hour with Laureate Professor Marilyn Fleer, where we’ll dive into the groundbreaking Conceptual PlayWorlds approach — a research-backed model that teaches children STEM through play.

 

Developed by Marilyn after years of research and rolled out through the Monash University PlayLab, a Conceptual PlayWorld starts with an educator selecting a children’s story. Following this, both adults and children enter that imaginary world together to solve challenges and explore STEM concepts through play. Marilyn’s innovative approach has been shown to:

 

• Increase girls’ engagement in STEM by fostering more inclusive play.
• Improve executive function and school readiness.
• Motivate children to learn by making STEM concepts meaningful and interactive.

 

Educators attending this STEM Hour will:

 

• Learn how and why Conceptual PlayWorlds was developed.
• Gain an overview of its pedagogical approach.
• Find out the five steps to setting up and developing a Conceptual PlayWorld.
• See PlayWorld examples involving infants and toddlers as well as preschool-aged children, such as this Charlotte’s Web example.

 

⭐ BONUS: STEM Hour attendees are invited to attend Marilyn’s free online Reflection & Sharing Session on 1-2pm (AEST) Tuesday 2 September. This special follow-up session is for educators who have implemented a Conceptual PlayWorld with their children following Marilyn’s STEM Hour and would like to share their experience, ask questions, and workshop next steps.

 

Purchasing a ticket allows you to tune in live or via a recording. We strongly encourage you to attend live, however a recording will also be shared via email following the event and can be viewed for 3 days after the email is sent. This STEM Hour will be held on:

 

Tuesday 29 July 2025Time zones: 1-2pm (AEST), 11am-12pm (AWST), 12:30-1:30pm (ACST)

 

Learn more or register here.