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, with a focus 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. With that being said, we are hoping to partner with organizations going a step further than these basic principles of STEM and who plan to build on more basic concepts to push the limits of what we can expect from our young learners.

4. Inquiry-Based Learning:

• Children are encouraged to ask questions and explore answers through guided inquiry. This 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:

• Depending on the age group, technology may be introduced in age-appropriate ways. This could include using 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, focusing 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 effectively implement these curricula and will accept applications for continuing education and professional development seminars and courses.

11. Resources:

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