International Symposium on Playful STEAM in Early Childhood Education and Care

7–8 October 2027 · University College of Northern Denmark (UCN), Aalborg, Denmark

How can playful approaches to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) support young children’s learning, and what does the research say about what works, for whom and under which conditions?

This two-day international symposium brings together researchers, practitioner-researchers, early career researchers and students to build a shared research agenda for playful STEAM in early childhood education and care (ECEC). Three keynote speakers and an open call for abstracts will focus on three questions: what playful STEAM means in ECEC, which methods can strengthen the field’s evidence base, and how research can inform practice.

The symposium is open to 180 participants. Fifty places are free for students and early career researchers.

Key facts

• Dates: 7–8 October 2027
• Venue: University College of Northern Denmark (UCN), Aalborg, Denmark
• Keynotes: Marilyn Fleer, Cristina Sylla and Eva Brooks
• Abstract deadline: 24 May 2027
• Registration opens: 1 December 2026

The symposium is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Read the acknowledgement.