About Early Science Matters: Powered by Early Discovery Network
Bringing out the scientist in every child
Children naturally engage in scientific exploration and discovery early in life. By harnessing this innate curiosity, high-quality early science education can support a child’s growth and development in many areas—and prepare the children of today to become the scientists, inventors and innovators of tomorrow.
To give early childhood educators across the nation the knowledge and skills they need to boost children’s mastery of early science, the University of Illinois Chicago College of Education launched the Early Science Matters project in 2019 with an incubator grant from the Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood.
Today, early childhood professionals and parents across the nation and around the world visit our website to learn how to integrate science into their early learning environments and activities.
Early Science Matters has four core objectives:
- To give early childhood educators the knowledge and skills they need to teach early science
- To help early childhood educators set up environments that promote science literacy
- To provide engaging activities and lessons that foster the development of early science skills
- To help create a world of science-literate citizens
About Early Discovery Network
Early Discovery Network helps early childhood educators build the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills they need to create engaging learning experiences for young children.
We specialize in early mathematics, science, engineering, and school readiness, translating research and best practices into approaches educators can use every day. Through professional development workshops, classroom coaching, consultation, and free online learning resources, we support educators and programs in strengthening both teacher knowledge and practice, both in the classroom and in natural spaces.
Early Discovery Network is home to Early Math Counts, Early Science Matters, Engineering Explorers, and Ready Child, a collection of research-informed resources designed specifically for early childhood educators and families.
Our goal is simple: to make high-quality, practical early childhood professional learning accessible and useful, and to help educators turn what they learn into meaningful experiences for young children.
About the Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood
The Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood is an incubator of promising research and development projects that have the potential to enhance the physical and mental health, safety, nutrition, education, familial support, acculturation, societal integration and quality of life of children from birth through age seven in the United States. The Foundation’s goal is to provide seed money for imaginative proposals that exhibit the greatest chance of improving the lives of young children on a national scale.