Special to the
Opelika Observer
Auburn Day School, Alabama’s first STEM preschool, is offering free virtual S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) lessons to help support preschool and early elementary students and their families during COVID-19. The STEM lessons are designed to engage students through hands-on STEM experiments, songs, sensory activities, read aloud, games and “STEM stroll” experiences.
“As a business owner and mother of a preschool daughter, it is challenging to find high-quality educational resources that also allow opportunities for my daughter to learn independently without just relying on screens and worksheets,” said Katie Murrah, Auburn Day School owner and director. “Our team is working hard to provide video lessons and materials that allow for family interaction and independent, hands-on exploration. Our teachers, Sarah Jenkins and Katie Allain, do an amazing job making the video lessons thoughtful, engaging and fun for children and parents alike.”
The first STEM Exploration is “Change in Nature” which includes six units. Unit 1: The Water Cycle, Unit 2: States of Matter, Unit 3: Living Things, Unit 4: Life Cycles. Unit 5: Habitats and Unit 6: Earth, Sun and Moon. The lessons and supplemental materials can be accessed at auburndayschool.com/virtual-stem-lessons.html.
The free virtual STEM lessons are concept-based and connected to allow for distributed practice, which helps children solidify their understanding of the STEM concepts and vocabulary. The unit activities and experiments encourage children and families to find STEM at home and in their own backyards.
“It is our hope that we can help your child make vital connections between everyday life and STEM principles,” said Sarah Jenkins, Au urn Day School’s lead teacher. “We hope to connect science, technology, engineering and mathematics with your child’s love of observing, exploring, and creating. Our first exploration helps children recognize the changes in nature and lays the foundation for future learning, as the skills we practice are transferable to other areas of learning.”
To get all of the latest updates on Auburn Day School; including construction updates, daily program sign-up, and STEM Camp options, follow Auburn Day School on Facebook and Instagram @auburndayschool and visit auburndayschool.com.
About the school:
Auburn Day School, Alabama’s first STEM preschool, is a reservation-based, drop-in preschool program offering daily hands-on educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and arts for the children ages 12 months to five years old. At Auburn Day School, students think critically, work collaboratively and solve problems. Auburn Day School is set to open Summer 2020.