Mumabot: Weaving Music, Mathematics and Educational Robotics in ECEC Settings

This contribution discusses a pilot course within the “INTEC - Developing an innovative in-service training model for ECEC staff” project (Erasmus+ KA2). The Mumabot (MUsic, MAthematics and educational roBOTics) training course presented an innovative methodology, based on a transdisciplinary and multimodal approach, focusing on the intertwining of the three disciplines through the use of Ozobot, the Rhythm Box and Lego bricks as mediators. The study aims to investigate the effect of the pilot course on the 39 trainees that were involved in the Italian and international versions. Our research questions are: Is this course effective in giving ECEC professionals the ability to plan Mumabot activities? What effect does it have on their ideas about children’s learning in STEAM disciplines? Theoretical and empirical enquiries into STEAM disciplines highlighted the need for training and support for ECEC professionals, and the possibilities offered by a multimodal and transdisciplinary appr oach. Pre- and post-course questionnaires containing both multiple.choice and open-ended questions were administered to the participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the written responses. The findings suggest that while the course was effective in changing participants' perspectives on STEAM activities in ECEC, it was only partially effective in supporting professionals in planning Mumabot activities.