Our Early Education STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program is designed to fund organizations that introduce young children, grades K - 5th, to foundational concepts and skills across these four fields. Such programs should aim to foster curiosity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and a love of STEM learning from an early age.

Grants will be made to organizations supporting STEM initiatives geared towards providing 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 programs, and are or will be providing young learners with a comprehensive and engaging educational experience who meet some or all of the following objectives:

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 an accessible, engaging way, 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 beyond these basic STEM principles and build on foundational concepts to push the limits of what we can expect from our young learners through guided inquiry. Children should be encouraged to ask questions and explore answers, which promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

5. 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.

6. Parent Involvement: Parents play a crucial role in supporting STEM education at an early age. Programs are encouraged to provide resources and guidance to help parents continue STEM learning at home.

7. 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.

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