STEM Enrichment Program/STEM Preschool

What is the mission of your company or project?

Innovation and Exploration STEM Early Learning Center goal is to provide many opportunities as preschoolers learn about the world through STEM that will enable them to spark their interests, develop curiosity, foster creativity, encourage play, and build a strong foundation.  

Our goal for this project is to continue to expose young children to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) as they develop a strong foundation. We will also expose and challenge students with more advanced STEM Toys and weekly STEM activities. Students will also be exposed to coding activities, building robots, and we will be offering homework assistance. Our STEM activities will encourage teamwork, social skills, problem solving skills, and develop creativity. Our STEM activities will be hands-on activities and also help to build academic foundations.  

Describe the problem you are solving.

I started a STEM Preschool in the middle of the pandemic and off to a great start with getting children into the program. A lot of the students are 4 years and will be going to Kindergarten next year. The County I have my STEM Preschool; they only have half a day Kindergarten so I came up with the idea of having a STEM enrichment program for children 5-7 years. Secondly, we often think of the STEM program as targeting middle and high school students, whereas I believe that a STEM curriculum should be a vital part of every preschool’s curriculum. 

Some facts of why it’s important to build a strong STEM Foundation/  

1.     If we don’t engage students by 5th grade in STEM, 92% of boys and 97% of girls will lose interest. 

2.     50% of economic growth in the last 50 years was due to advances in technology. All key companies revolutionizing our lives (Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, etc.) – STEM power them. 

What is the market size/opportunity? 

We are located in an area with of middle-class families who are looking for more opportunities for their children. I am located in the center of two large Township in Bucks County with one of the largest High School in PA. 

What is your company/product about and how does it solve the problem? 

Innovation and Exploration STEM Early Learning Center (services) is to focus on building a strong STEM Education at an early age. We are a STEM Preschool and we believe it is important to implement STEM at an early age. People always ask, how can preschoolers do STEM? Well, that’s how secrete. What makes my services special is my STEM Curriculum I created, STEM activities, the setup of my classrooms, the materials and toys I use, and the design of our playground. This idea and service was designed based off my research in STEM Education during my Master's program. We get children to fall in love with learning, STEM Education, and doing additions in heads by the time they are 4 years old. We are solving the problem of getting children involve in STEM Education at an early age. We also believe a strong STEM foundation is necessary to spark interest in the STEM field. 

Our approach through implementing a STEM curriculum.   

• Curiosity and Initiative
• Observation and Investigation
• Making prediction and Risk-taking:
• Experimenting and Task Analysis
• Engagement and Attention
• Exploration and Play
• Invention
• Making Connection
• Problem-Solving
• Literacy
•  

Why are you seeking funding and how will you spend the funding?

I am seeking funding to expand my program by having a STEM enrichment/ homework assistance program. This will also help me to increase cash flow in my company. Due to Covid-19 and keeping up with all the procedures to keep everyone safe, it became every expensive with no additional support. I need your support to buy the supplies and the STEM toys I need to expend my business so I can start building a strong STEM foundation. I currently have families that are interested in the program.  My preschool is very unique and different from other preschool and within 3 months, I enrolled 18 children and more children are waiting to start in 2021 in the middle of a pandemic. These children left other preschools because they are looking for a different experience for their children and because they believe in our program. I also have families who have traveled over 30 minutes to come to my preschool. 

Who is on your team?

I have a team of 3 teachers and myself who have been in the field for many years with degrees in Education and with a position for STEM.

I would like to thank you in advance in supporting me with this project.  Together, we are building a strong early STEM Education and a brighter future. Have a wonderful holiday and New Year!