Today, KinderCare Education (KCE) announces the expansion of STEM –
science, technology, engineering and math – programs to nearly 800
locations nationwide. Available at many KinderCare
Learning Centers and Champions
programs around the country, the STEM offerings are designed using
research from MIT Media Lab, DevTech Research Group at Tufts University
and Harvard’s Wyss Institute, providing children with hands-on and
minds-on, innovative activities that build year over year for ages 3-12.
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KinderCare Education (KCE) announces the expansion of STEM programs to nearly 800 locations nationwide. In these programs, children from 3-12 years old build STEM skills as they learn through play and exploration, combining traditional tools of scientific inquiry with innovative technology tools such as robots. (Photo Credit: Rich Crowder)
STEM education is critical for future success and career development.
Recent research from the Department of Labor shows that more than 65
percent of today’s students will enter careers that do not exist yet1,
many in STEM related fields. Introducing children to STEM at an early
age helps develop their confidence and builds a lifelong love for STEM
learning, preparing children for future opportunities in STEM fields.
“The workforce is constantly evolving, and we provide a curriculum that
sets children up for future success,” said Dr. Elanna Yalow, KinderCare
Education’s Chief Academic Officer. “With the addition of STEM
Innovators and Tech
Track, a new, innovative school-age technology program, we develop
the critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication
skills that children need in elementary school and beyond.”
In these programs, children build STEM skills as they learn through play
and exploration, combining traditional tools of scientific inquiry with
innovative technology tools such as robots. But because learning takes
place beyond the classroom, parents are also given suggestions for
activities outside the classroom. Both STEM Innovators and Tech Track
provide ideas for families to incorporate STEM education in fun, every
day activities, like nature hikes, a family drive, cooking or even while
playing with favorite toys.
Learning Adventures® STEM Innovators
KinderCare is amplifying the STEM curriculum taught in its classrooms
every day, providing a new program for Learning
Adventures called STEM Innovators. The new offering includes a core
curriculum focused on applying STEM principles with fun, hands on and
minds-on activities such as:
-
Application and play with robotics, chemistry, coding, physics,
geology, engineering and more. -
Hands-on experiments and problem-solving tailored to fit a child’s age
and learning level. -
Opportunities for children to showcase their work and practice
presentation and collaboration skills.
Tech Track
Both KinderCare and Champions programs offer Tech
Track in selected school age programs. Tech Track gives students
access to an innovative curriculum that helps them become active
creators using technology. There are currently no other programs that
have this offering, making it unique to the KinderCare family. Tech
Track includes:
-
An introduction to three technology-focused pathways: coding,
engineering, and art design. Digital Citizenship is integrated all
year long through a unique method specific to KinderCare and Champions
curriculum. -
Access to both student-directed tech interest area and
teacher-facilitated activities using an app-based program and
screen-free robots. -
Curriculum that uses a collaborative model, providing students the
opportunity to make their own choices and lead activities using input
from their group.
1http://reports.weforum.org/future-of-jobs-2016/chapter-1-the-future-of-jobs-and-skills/
About KinderCare Education®
KinderCare Education is an experience-based provider of early education
and child care with more than 30,000 teachers and staff serving 185,000
families every day, where they need us:
-
In neighborhoods with our KinderCare® Learning
Centers and Rainbow Child Care Centers that offer early
childhood education and child care for children six weeks to 12 years
old. -
At work through KinderCare Education at Work™, family-focused
benefits for employers including on-site and near-site early learning
centers and back-up care for last-minute child care. -
In local schools with our Champions® before
and after-school programs.
KinderCare Education operates more than 1,500 early learning centers,
more than 480 Champions sites, and is supported by a corporate team of
nearly 500 headquarters employees based in Portland, Oregon. In 2018,
KinderCare Education earned their second Gallup Great Workplace Award –
one of only 39 companies worldwide to win an award – and acquired
several regional early childhood education brands, including Rainbow
Child Care Centers. To learn more, visit kc-education.com.
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