Young children are natural scientists – they are constantly exploring, touching, observing and learning. To promote meaningful science learning for all kids, The Saint Louis Science Center is collaborating with 20 museums around the country to share best practices through a Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. On March 8, early childhood learning experts from preschools, children’s museums, higher education, and science centers will share their strategies for engaging small children in simple science exploration. Presenters include:

• Angelique Bey, Manager for Curriculum and Instruction, Grace Hill Head Start
• Laurie Duncan, Education Director, Discovery Center of Springfield
• Marlene Montgomery, Assistant Professor of Education from Maryville University
• Teresa Nighelli, Educational Director, SciTech
• Patsy Reublin, Executive Director, Bootheel Youth Museum
• Stephanie Terry, Executive Director, Koch Family Children’s Museum
• Melissa Thomas, Discovery Room Gallery Lead, Saint Louis Science Center

The workshop is part of the Science Beyond the Boundaries Early Learners Collaborative, a partnership of 17 U.S. science centers and children’s museums, plus three international partners: Technopolis in Belgium, Ideas Gym in Egypt, and Unizul Science Centre in South Africa. The project facilitates the sharing of best practices in science education for diverse groups of young children.  

Limited space is available for early childhood educators to attend this free event, to be held 10 am-4 pm on March 8 at the Saint Louis Science Center. Interested educators should contact Jennifer Jovanovic, Director of Science Beyond the Boundaries, jjovanov@slsc.org.

Written by Dana, Development