This article originally appeared on the EDC website.
Education Development Center (EDC) has received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead the new five-year initiative Supporting Science Inquiry, Interest, and STEM Thinking for Young Dual Language Learners (SISTEM). This initiative builds on previously funded work in Hartford, Connecticut.
In SISTEM, Jessica Young (principal investigator) and Cindy Hoisington (project director) are collaborating with the Connecticut Science Center (CSC), the Consolidated School District of New Britain (CSDNB), and Latinx families to foster young Latinx children’s science inquiry, language and literacy development, and positive attitudes toward STEM.
EDC, CSC, and the CSDNB will carry out the following activities to build strong family-community-school connections to support Latinx children’s STEM learning:
- Provide families and teachers with guidance, resources, and strategies for engaging children in studying science at home and in school
- Engage families and teachers in workshops that will promote collaborative inquiry, discussion, and planning to promote children’s science learning
- Support teachers through an online professional learning community and coaching
Participating families will pilot and help revise all workshops and resources to ensure they are relevant and responsive to the families’ day-to-day lives, goals, and language.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to join with teachers and families to forge closer relationships centered on children’s science experiences,” Young said.
Hoisington added, “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with the Connecticut Science Center and to partner with and learn from families and teachers in the New Britain community.”