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Tuesday, October 13, 2009 UNI project reaches out to early math and science educators CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Efforts to create a national center that will bring together early childhood and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (EC-STEM) educators in Iowa, and across the nation, are underway at the University of Northern Iowa.
UNI received a congressionally directed appropriation of $950,000 from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Center for Early Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CEESTEM) project this fall. The project aims to focus on EC-STEM research and spreading efforts to improve early childhood math and science education.
"Although numerous national reports advocate for initiatives for K-12 students, national efforts in math and science rarely focus on children below third grade, and almost never below kindergarten," said Betty Zan, UNI associate professor of curriculum & instruction and director of the Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education. "However, students' attitudes and aptitudes toward math and science begin with their earliest school experiences."
She said outreach efforts will target early childhood teachers (pre-K through third grade) and childcare providers and will be appropriate for teachers with or without degrees. "The project will support early childhood educators in creating hands-on, interactive classroom activities that encourage young children to develop and use scientific inquiry processes to explore and better understand their environments."
Besides focusing on EC-STEM education research, the project also aims to provide access to model classrooms, develop high-quality professional development in EC-STEM education, create a clearinghouse of exemplary EC-STEM curricula and classroom material, and hold national EC-STEM conferences.
"In the long run," Zan said, "this project will increase students' ability to achieve deeper understanding and appreciation of STEM disciplines. The creation of this center will make it possible for the state of Iowa to position itself as a national leader in the emerging field of early STEM education."
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