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resource research Public Programs

Nature by Design: Playscape Affordances Support the Use of Executive Function in Preschoolers

Playscapes are intentionally designed, dynamic, vegetation-rich, play environments that nurture young children's affinity for nature. We investigated how the affordances of a nature playscape provide opportunities to strengthen children's executive function by identifying examples of goal-directed and focused problem-solving within children's free play in this setting. Through video-based fieldwork, drawing on the extant literature, and application of indicators within existing assessments for executive function in nature preschools, we found that playscapes can be executive function-enhancing
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TEAM MEMBERS: Victoria Carr Rhonda Brown Sue Schlembach Leslie Kochanowski
resource research Museum and Science Center Programs

Itty Bitty Science: Collaborative of Early Science Learning Museums Partner with Head Start to Promote Science

This article focuses on the efforts of the Collaborative for Early Science Learning (CESL), a group of six museums led by the Sciencenter in Ithaca, New York, that partner with their local Head Start programs to provide training for teachers and opportunities for family engagement. These efforts address the gap between children’s readiness to explore science through everyday experiences and adults’ support. CESL believes that hands-on professional development (PD) opportunities for teachers and families can reduce adult discomfort with facilitating science programming and increase their
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TEAM MEMBERS: Michelle Kortenaar Victoria Fiordalis Miriam Krause Laurinda Willard Cheryl Juarez Melissa Thomas Zoe Peters Carrie Jubran Allison Sribarra
resource research Public Programs

Early Wins and Lessons Learned: How the Bay Area STEM Ecosystem Engages Families

In this case study, we highlight the work of the Bay Area STEM Ecosystem, which aims to increase equity and access to STEM learning opportunities in underserved communities. First, we lay out the problems they are trying to solve and give a high level overview of the Bay Area STEM Ecosystem’s approach to addressing them. Then, based on field observations and interviews, we highlight both the successes and some missed opportunities from the first collaborative program of this Ecosystem. Both the successes of The Bay Area STEM Ecosystem--as well as the partners’ willingness to share and examine
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TEAM MEMBERS: Linda Kekelis Kara Sammet
resource research Public Programs

Head Start on Engineering: Teachers, Informal STEM Educators, and Learning Researchers Collaborating to Engage Low-Income Families With Engineering

The Head Start on Engineering project engages parents and children in a multicomponent family engineering program that includes professional development for teachers, workshops for parents, take-home family activity kits, home visits, classroom extensions, and a culminating field trip to a science center. Throughout their lives, children from low socioeconomic backgrounds and traditionally underserved and under-resourced communities face significant barriers to engaging with engineering and science (Gershenson 2013; Orr, Ramirez, and Ohland 2011). Supporting learning and interest
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TEAM MEMBERS: Scott Pattison Gina Navoa Svarovsky Ivel Gontan Pam Greenough Corrie Marcie Benne Shannon Weiss Veronica Nunez Smirla Ramos-Montañez