“Space Is the Place” Launches New STEM Partnership at Altamonte Head Start
Young learners explored the possibilities of science and space during the first student session of the NASA Ignite Discovery Program.
Altamonte Head Start welcomed the Orlando Science Center on September 8 for “Space Is the Place,” a hands-on workshop that officially launched our partnership with the Science Center’s NASA Ignite Discovery Program.
Led by NASA Ignite trainer James Kondrach, the session gave children an opportunity to explore STEM concepts through activities such as Tubular Telescopes, Moon Surface Survey, Reach for the Stars, and Color the Sun.
Orlando Science Center Vice President of Education Emily Duguid and educator Jaki Redmond also joined the kickoff and worked with the students on the activities.
The Ignite Discovery program serves preschool students ages 3 to 5. The Orlando Science Center is one of 19 organizations nationwide selected for NASA’s TEAM II Informal Education Learning Cohort, an initiative supporting high-quality STEM learning opportunities. Through its partnership with the Florida Head Start Association, the Science Center will bring NASA-themed activities, family engagement opportunities, and professional development for educators to Head Start communities across the region.
Early exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics can help prepare children for school while encouraging a lifelong relationship with learning. Programs such as Ignite Discovery make those experiences accessible at a pivotal stage in a child’s development.
The kickoff offered an exciting first look at what this partnership can bring to our children and educators. More importantly, it created space for children to wonder, experiment and imagine what they might become.
As JoAnn Newman, president and CEO of Orlando Science Center, stated when the NASA award was announced, the initiative will help reach more young learners, families and educators with meaningful STEM experiences at a pivotal point in child development.
“Space Is the Place” is only the beginning. We look forward to seeing where our young explorers go next.
