Research in education has time and again proven that quality experiences with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the pre-kindergarten years pave the way for learning about computer science and engineering in K-12 classrooms. It is also an essential way to attract more students to STEM careers. This 3-year project aims to reduce the gap in teachers’ capacity to support young children’s STEM content knowledge by providing a series of high-quality education resources and materials such as (1) a play-based computer science and pre-engineering education program for pre-K children, (2) a web-based, early childhood teacher workforce development program, (3) accompanying child and early childhood educator assessments, and (4) family education curriculum to address family needs for safe and developmentally appropriate technology use with their children. The following are a few research questions we aim to answer through this project:
- In what ways do play-based early computer science and pre-engineering knowledge programs impact children’s knowledge and early interest in STEM careers?
- What is the relationship between the project’s teacher professional development model and participating teachers’ content knowledge of early computer science and pre-engineering and instructional performance?
- What impact do the teachers’ cyber-safety-focused professional development and family education have on the cyber-safe practices of participating preschool teachers, their young students, and families?
This project will produce a fully tested set of bilingual, bicultural products that is fully exportable, and web-based for early childhood educator STEM workforce training and professional development
