(DURHAM, January 25, 2017) – Young children are curious and brimming with questions, like “How does that work? What does that do? Why does it do that?” With the launch of the new free online STEM from the START animated lessons, teachers and parents of Pre-K - 3rd grade students have a fun new way to help kids learn about science, technology, math and science.
The free, downloadable lessons blend animated adventures starring three curious characters called the Quinks with hands-on activities and games for young learners. Discovery Guides for teachers, childcare providers and parents supplement each lesson. STEM from the START is a collaboration between New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV) and Learniverse Educational Media. “What’s unique and exciting about STEM from the START is that it integrates video lessons with fun activities that support learning,” says Susan Adams, Educational Services Manager at NHPTV. “It captures their imaginations and engages them in challenging material, like finding out how motion works or how temperature is measured.”
The STEM from the START initiative grew out of concerns about the lack of effective, affordable STEM resources for kids in younger grade levels. “STEM from the START gets the balance between education and engagement just right,” says Dr. Lauren Provost, Director of Science and Technology Outreach for Dartmouth College. Provost tested the lessons in Manchester Public Schools for two years, and found that STEM from the START lessons were able to reach early learners, regardless of learning styles and attention spans. “It is pretty amazing to see young students learning core science content.”
Teachers and parents can download free lessons and learn about the STEM from the START initiative at www.stemfromthestart.org. Teachers who wish to schedule professional development workshops for their school should contact Susan Adams at sadams@nhptv.org. ------------ About STEM from the START: STEM from the START is a free online resource for teaching STEM content to PreK-3 students.
A collaboration between New Hampshire Public Television and Learniverse Educational Media, STEM from the START lessons blend animated adventures with guided activities and are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
About Learniverse: Learniverse is an educational media company that creates learning materials to deeply engage your student by blending the robust appeal of animated adventures with the vital interactivity of the classroom.
About New Hampshire PBS: New Hampshire PBS inspires one million Granite Staters each month with engaging and trusted local and national programs and services on-air, online, via mobile, in classrooms and in communities. Beyond its award-winning television programs, New Hampshire PBS is a leader in education and community engagement. www.nhpbs.org
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