Carnegie Institute

The Carnegie Science Center will use grant funds to extend early learning resources to Head Start classrooms in Indiana County, PA, a rural community approximately one-and-a-half hours outside of Pittsburgh, where families and teachers have limited opportunity to use science centers and museums. “Ready Set Science” will be developed and implemented in partnership with local Head Start programs to serve 18 classrooms, including 18 teachers, 18 aides, and 314 children from low- to moderate-income families. Parents and other adult caregivers are also a key audience. The project goals are to increase participating teachers’ comfort and knowledge related to preschool science; improve the quality of preschool science teaching; provide better science equipment and materials in the classroom; and strengthen parental awareness and involvement in children’s learning.