Our Early Education STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program is designed to fund organizations introducing young children, generally between the ages of 3 and 10, to the foundational concepts and skills within these four fields. Such programs should aim to foster curiosity, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a love for STEM learning from an early age.

Grants will be made to organizations supporting STEM initiatives geared towards providing Pre-K to 5th-grade students with a solid, hands-on early experience with in-depth STEM subjects. Organizations should have invested in careful planning and consideration of various elements of their STEM program and are or will be providing young learners with a comprehensive and engaging educational experience who meet some or all of the below objectives:

Some key aspects of Early Education STEM programs that we are seeking to fund are:

1. Hands-On Learning:

• STEM education for young children should emphasize hands-on, experiential learning. This means providing opportunities for children to engage with materials, conduct simple experiments, build structures, and solve age-appropriate problems.

2. Age-Appropriate Curriculum:

• The curriculum should be tailored to suit the developmental stages and abilities of young children. Concepts should be introduced in a way that is accessible and engaging, focusing on concrete experiences before moving to more abstract ideas.

3. Play-Based Approach:

• Play is a natural way for young children to learn. STEM programs should incorporate play-based activities that integrate STEM concepts. For instance, building with blocks can introduce engineering principles, while exploring nature can teach basic biology. That said, we hope to partner with organizations that go a step further than these basic principles of STEM and plan to build on more basic concepts to push the limits of what we can expect from our young learners.

4. Inquiry-Based Learning:

• Through guided inquiry, children are encouraged to ask questions and explore answers, which promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

5. Integration of Subjects:

• STEM subjects are often interconnected. Programs are encouraged to integrate elements of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to show how they relate to each other in real-world contexts.

6. Use of Technology:

• Technology may be introduced in age-appropriate ways, depending on the age group. This could include educational applications, simple coding activities, or interactive simulations.

7. Parent Involvement:

• Parents play a crucial role in supporting STEM education at an early age. Programs are encouraged to provide resources and guidance for parents to continue STEM learning at home.

8. Assessment:

• Evaluation in early STEM programs should be qualitative and observation-based. It should focus on children's engagement, problem-solving skills, and curiosity rather than formal testing for reporting purposes.

9. Safety:

• Safety is a paramount concern, especially when conducting experiments or using materials. Proper supervision and age-appropriate safety measures are essential.

10. Professional Development:

• We encourage teachers and educators working in Early Education STEM programs to pursue specific training and continuing education courses to implement these curricula effectively. We will accept applications for continuing education and professional development seminars and classes.

11. Resources:

• Adequate resources and materials should be available to support STEM activities. This includes access to educational materials, equipment, and age-appropriate books.