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STEM Starts Early: Grounding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education in Early Childhood

February 2, 2017 | Informal/Formal Connections
Tomorrow’s inventors and scientists are today’s curious young children—as long as those children are given ample chances to explore and are guided by adults equipped to support them. STEM Starts Early is the culmination of a deep inquiry supported by the National Science Foundation that aims to better understand the challenges to and opportunities in STEM learning as documented in a review of early childhood education research, policy, and practice and encourages collaboration between pivotal sectors to implement and sustain needed changes. The report features research by the FrameWorks Institute on some common misconceptions around early STEM learning, and how reframing the conversation can help the public overcome these often problematic ways of thinking, leading to a greater understanding of the importance of prioritizing and investing in STEM learning opportunities for all children. STEM Starts Early provides key recommendations for education leaders, researchers, and policymakers across the country to improve opportunities for children to become confident learners in science, technology, engineering and math.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Elisabeth McClure
    Author
    Joan Ganz Cooney Center
  • Lisa Guernsey
    Author
    New America
  • Douglas Clements
    Author
    University of Denver
  • Susan Nall Bales
    Author
    FrameWorks Institute
  • Jennifer Nichols
    Author
    FrameWorks Institute
  • Nat Kendall-Taylor
    Author
    Frameworks Institute
  • Michael Levine
    Author
    Joan Ganz Cooney Center
  • Citation

    Funders

    NSF
    Funding Program: DISCOVERY RESEARCH K-12
    Award Number: 1417878
    Resource Type: Reference Materials
    Discipline: Education and learning science | General STEM
    Audience: Pre-K Children (0-5) | Administration/Leadership/Policymakers | Educators/Teachers | Museum/ISE Professionals | Learning Researchers
    Environment Type: Informal/Formal Connections | Pre-K/Early Childhood Programs

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