Building the STEM Workforce Begins Early: A Focus on STEM Learning Ages 3-8

Session Type: Invited Session

Abstract

The National Science Foundation plays a unique role in addressing U.S. priorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, (STEM) education. Programs that focus on young learners span NSF’s Directorates for Education and Human Resources and Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences. Those concerned with young learners have typically focused on building literacy and social skills. Increasingly, however, there is growing interest in providing instruction and activities that related more directly to STEM. As stated in the NRC publication, A Framework for K-12 Science Education Practices, “before they even enter school, children have developed their own ideas about the physical, biological, and social worlds and how they work”. And, while mathematics is a focus of the early elementary years, science, technology and engineering are often absent. This session focuses on some of NSF’s PIs that have investments in young learners and addresses both the learning and policy issues that arise when working with children from 3-8. The NSF program officer will describe the role of such awards in the NSF portfolio.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Cosponsor

• AERA Sessions

Chair

• Janice M. Earle, National Science Foundation

Participants

• Marina U. Bers, Tufts University

• Richard Lehrer, Vanderbilt University

Papers

• Self-Regulation and Cognitive Control: Why Executive Functions Matter For Early Stem Education - Susan Carey, Harvard University

• Supports for Preschool STEM Learners and the Teachers Who Teach Them - Kimberly Brenneman, Rutgers University