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This book is designed to build educators’ confidence and competence so they can bring STEM to life with young children. The authors encourage pre–K teachers to discover the value of engaging preschoolers in scientific inquiry, technological explorations, engineering challenges, and math experiences based on learning trajectories. They explain the big ideas in STEM, emphasizing teaching strategies that support these activities (such as language-rich STEM interactions), and describe ways to integrate concepts across disciplines. The text features research-based resources, examples of field-tested activities, and highlights from the classroom. Drawing from a professional development model that was developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, this book is an essential resource for anyone who wants to support preschool children to be STEM thinkers and doers.

“I have read a lot of really good early childhood science education books over the years, and as far as I am concerned, this is the best one yet.”
—From the Foreword by Betty Zan, University of Northern Iowa

“This excellent book shows that the important ideas of STEM are within every teacher’s and child’s grasp.”
—Douglas Clements, University of Denver

“Teaches STEM content while sharing strategies for robust and developmentally appropriate instructional practice. This book is the real deal!”
—Beth Graue, University of Wisconsin–Madison