IEECE awarded PNC grant to provide STEAM Family Packs
By Dan Shinneman
IEECE’s STEAM program serves low-income early childhood students through professional development and coaching and early childhood teachers and administrators through STEAM programs in the schools. This year, our PNC Grow Up Great grant will focus on providing additional supports for families at our STEAM pilot sites that have their preschool-age children at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many families need educational enrichment for the children in their homes. STEAM family packs will be created for the sites in our STEAM pilot initiative along with activity guides, online videos and resources. The PNC Grow Up Great grant of $12,000 will provide essential funds for the materials and books in the family packs. The family packs will include hands-on STEAM materials and books that support creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking. Videos and online resources for the family packs will be available on our IEECE STEAM website along with resources from the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.
Many children are missing out on learning opportunities by staying at home, and parents and teachers need resources and materials to create new engaging activities for them. The children need activities and materials to discover, explore, build and create. STEAM activities challenge the brain and build fine motor skills at the same time. These activities would also foster family engagement and bonding. We are excited to provide these materials and resources to the sites, along with the ongoing professional learning and coaching. IEECE greatly appreciates PNC and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium for their continued support and collaboration.
