STEM Hour: Supporting Transitions through Place-Based STEM Learning

When children move between home, early learning, and school, they often face new people and expectations. Children’s confidence in these transitions will depend on whether they feel a strong sense of connection between and belonging in each space — and STEM is a powerful tool to support this.

• Educators can design STEM learning experiences to support children’s transitions.
• Early learning settings, schools, families, and communities can work together to create connected STEM environments that foster children’s belonging and agency.
• STEM can help educators create culturally responsive practices, for example, by connecting STEM learning with children’s cultural identities, languages, and lived experiences.

• The many ways children learn and express themselves through STEM.
• How STEM can ease transitions and build children’s sense of continuity.
• Practical examples of multimodal, place-based education in action.
• Strategies to connect STEM with children’s cultures, communities, and identities.
• How STEM can foster belonging, agency, and connection across learning environments.
• Provocations and ideas to inspire culturally responsive STEM practices.