11th Annual ECSTEM Conference

Location: Online

For help registering, email [email protected] or call (626) 395-6860 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm PT, Monday to Friday.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

9:00am – 11:00am

Keynote Speaker
Omo Moses

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Exploring Sound with Infants and Toddlers
Infants and toddlers delight in exploring interesting materials and figuring out how to "make things happen." Learn how physics of sound experiences can introduce our youngest learners to STEM.
Presenter: Sherri Peterson, M.A., M.S.
Iowa Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education University of Northern Iowa
Target Audience: I T
Content: S T E M

Hands-On at a Distance: Adapting Tinkering in Early Childhood to an Online Environment
Join us for a hands-on tinkering activity, and reflection on its design. Following, we will share an ECE tinkering project, our pivot to online learning during COVID, and current research findings.
Presenters: Luigi Anzivino, Ph.D. & Casey Federico, M.S.
The Exploratorium & Tinkering Studio
Target Audience: P
Content: S T

STEM Learning for Each and Every Child During Story Time
Come learn shared storybook reading strategies to engage young children in learning about STEM. Discuss book selection, prompt ideas, adaptation, and modification strategies to support children with and without disabilities.
Presenters: Chih-Ing Lim, Ph.D. & Hsiu-Wen Yang, Ph.D.
STEM Innovation for Inclusion In Early Education Center (STEMIE)
Target Audience: I T P
Content: S T E M

3,2,1, Liftoff…with NASA STEM Engagement
In this session you will be provided with an overview of how-to best guide STEM learning in the early grades (PreK-2) using literacy, and teacher expert tips and strategies.  We will explore the engineering design process and NASA's educational resources.  The session will end with step by step guidance of the many NASA websites that share wonderful and updated educational resources aligned with recent missions and efforts by their scientists and engineers.  Take advantage of NASA's free resources and encourage ALL you students to reach for the star.
Presenter: LaTina Taylor, M.Ed., & Susan Kohler, M.Ed.
NASA EPDC, NASA Glenn Research Center
Target Audience: I T P TK K FG SG
Content: S T E M

Promoting Family Math at Home and in Classrooms
Participants will discuss two family engagement models that empower parents, integrate caregivers into their children's learning community, and provide positive mathematics experiences so all children see themselves as mathematicians.
Presenters: Kristen E. Reed, M.Ed., M.A., & Susie Grimm, M.P.A., B.A., & Jessica M. Young, Ph.D.
Education Development Center, PBS SoCal
Target Audience:  P
Content: M

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

9:00am – 11:00am

Panel Of Experts
Tali Horowitz, Melissa Cleaver, & Jamie Nunez

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Co-Designing Family Math: Engaging Families to Grow a Love for Math at Home
PBS SoCal shares effective practices and guidelines on how early childhood educators can co-design a family math engagement program with the families they serve to promote math learning at home.
Presenters: Tarana Khan, Ph.D. & Frances Zazueta, B.A.
PBS SoCal
Target Audience: T P TK
Content: M

Early Math
Supporting professional learning communities in early math: Learning and teaching with learning trajectories. 
Presenter: Douglas Clements, Ph.D. & Julie Sarama, Ph.D.
University of Denver
Target Audience: I T P TK K FG SG
Content:  M

Children Can Code: Computational Thinking for Early Learners
Discover how coding and computational thinking will develop young children's academic knowledge, determination, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.  Experience unplugged coding and strategies to implement simple robots with your children.
Presenters: Dan Shinneman, M.Ed.
Palm Beach State College, Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education
Target Audience: P TK K FG SG
Content: S T E M

Explore Thinking & Creating with a Line
We will tour a new website – www.thinkingwithaline.com – to take a look at free STEAM lessons illustrated with video clips of teachers and children in action, try out a few explorations, and discuss how you might use the lessons within your own settings.
Presenter: Cathy W. Topal
Smith College
Target Audience:  P TK K FG SG
Content: S T E M

Engaging ECSTEM with Children's Lived Experiences
High quality STEM in early childhood settings is embedded in the experiential reality of children's life worlds. We are here to inquire approaches of engaging teachers, parents and children themselves in STEM programs to promote learning that leads to exploring and understanding of STEM related phenomenon from children's life.
（"从生活中来，回到生活中去。"我们的教师、家长和幼儿一起构建基于生活经验的STEM活动方案，提高幼儿对于生活中与STEM有关的现象的探究和理解。）
Presenters: LU Jingchen, Ph.D., & Jiang Xiaoman, B.A., & JIN Rongrong, B.A.
Soong Ching Ling Kindergarten
Target Audience:  P
Content: S

Thursday, February 25, 2021

9:00am – 11:00am

STEM in Our Hands: Humanizing Technology for Organic Virtual Learning Experiences
In the pandemic, educators got creative at using technology for teaching everything virtually.  Explore how teachers became scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to make learning and wonder happen organically on screen.
Presenter: Tommaso Lana, M.A.
Embodied Learning
Target Audience:  P TK K FG SG 
Content: S T E M

Experiencing SEL (Social, Emotional Learning) Concepts Through Virtual Music and Movement Sessions.
Experiencing both SEL (Social, Emotional Learning) STEM concepts through Virtual Music & Movement sessions during this unprecedented time, which will enhance the necessary skills for young children to both understand and manage emotions, attain problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, and entrepreneurship.
Presenter: Dayita Datta, B.A.
The Children's Center at Caltech
Target Audience: I T P TK K FG SG
Content: S T E M

Incorporating Culture and Caregivers into STEM
A NAEYC Accredited Family Child Interaction Learning (FCIL) Preschool will share how they implement a culturally relevant STEM curriculum to an at-risk population while addressing their mental and emotional needs through a trauma-informed approach.
Presenter: June "Pua" Aquino, B.A., & Kasey Galariada, B.A.
Ka Pa'alana Homeless Family Education Program
Target Audience:  T P TK K FG
Content: S T E M

Exploring Mathematics Through Literacy
What's the connection between math and literacy?  What books best support mathematics learning?  How did learning continue from home following safer at home orders?  Join us for an interactive workshop and see how a toddler room used books as a foundation for math learning to investigate concepts, such as, number, operations, measurements, geometry, and more!
Presenter: Melissa Samples, M.A.
The Children's Center at Caltech
Target Audience:   T
Content:  M

Engaging Preschoolers in Data Collection and Analysis with Manipulatives, Body Movement, and Digital Technology
This workshop will present a set of investigations designed for preschoolers that allow teacher and children to engage in data collection an analysis, including an app to facilitate the process.
Presenters: Ashley Lewis Presser Ph.D., & Jessica Young, Ph.D.
Education Development Center
Target Audience: P TK K
Content: S T

STEM for One, STEM for All: Strategies to Ensure All Children have STEM Learning Opportunities
Come learn about why and how to include young children with disabilities in early STEM.  Discover environmental, materials, and instructional modifications to integrate STEM for each and every child.
Presenters: Megan Vin, Ph.D., & Jessica Amsbary, Ph.D.
STEMIE
Target Audience: I T P
Content: S T E M

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Adapting to Our New Normal
This workshop will look closely at the Children's Center at Caltech's approach to and transition to distant learning, as well as plans for reopening, safety guidelines, and the creation of a new classroom geared toward Kindergarten aged children because of COVID-19.
Presenter: Jose Osorio, B.A. & Silvia Reano Gonzales, M.A.
The Children's Center at Caltech
Target Audience:  P TK K FG 
Content: S T E M

Early Childhood Mathematical Interventions: A Literature Review
This study reports the findings of literature review about mathematical interventions for young children with special needs.  This session will share the effect of sizes, demographic information, interventions, and implications.
Presenter: Bonnie Ingelin, Ph.D. & Nanette Hammons, Ph.D.
University of St. Thomas and Florida State University
Target Audience:  I T P 
Content: M

What Sound Does a Space Chicken Make: Using Technology to Strengthen Human Connections
This session will follow the story of a class of four-and five-year-old children who explored a variety of technologies with a goal of creating, constructing, and connecting.
Presenter: Greg Morgan, M.A., & Alex Morgan, M.A.
Boulder Journey School
Target Audience:   P TK 
Content: T

Whole Body Math
Whole Body Math fosters math learning through kinesthetic and sensory engagement.  In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to use guiding questions to modify lessons and design activities.  
Presenters: Yvonne Liu-Constant, Ph.D., & Julia Philips, M.Ed.
Lesley University and King Elementary School
Target Audience:  TK FG SG
Content: M

Creative Movement and Creative Drama Adventures to Promote STEAM
This presentation will engage participants in thoughtful examination of movement and drama in preschool and primary classes and how they can have strong connection to STEM.  Participants will move near their screens and use their movement and drama activities to extend their knowledge of STEM concepts in Physical, Earth, and Life Sciences. 
Presenters: Mary Jo Pollman, Ph.D.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Target Audience: P TK K FG SG
Content: S T E M

Friday, February 26, 2021

9:00am – 11:00am

Robots
The children were introduced to a small robot named Ozobot. During this exploration, the children were able to strengthen their knowledge of lines, coding, empathy, early literacy, engineering and film production. 
Presenter: Elise Wellington, A.A. & Michelle Lagunas, A.A.
Bright Start Child Development Center
Target Audience:  P TK K FG
Content: S T

Math Is…Toddlers' Studies of Mathematics Through Line and Trajectory
This session examines a year-long investigation, researched by a group of 2-year-old children and their teachers, around line, trajectory, and toddler joy
Presenter: Kirsten Zimbelman, M.A. & Alex Morgan, M.A.
Boulder Journey School
Target Audience:  T
Content: M

Zooming into 2020
Zoom into this interactive session on developing a distance learning curriculum for young children. Understand the importance of the environment, discover experiences best suited for online, and avoid being an entertainer.
Presenter: Shelley Anderson, M.A. & Tatiana Zargarian, M.A.
Glendale Community College
Target Audience: P
Content:  T

Sustainable Engineering Ideas for Little Engineers
Let us give the next generation the chance to figure out how to make a sustainable world for a better future. Be ready for a hands-on workshop with simple and practical sustainable engineering ideas for little engineers that can be implemented at home or school.
Presenter: Debora Qiu, B.A.
Kiddie Academy
Target Audience: P
Content:  E

Promoting Science Inquiry Skills, Imagination, and Literacy
Participants will discover links between children's imagination, storybooks, and children's science inquiry skills that promote exploration of science content. Participants will brainstorm curriculum ideas to use in their own classrooms.
Presenter: Maureen Smith, Ph.D., & Maria Fusaro, Ed.D.
San Jose State University
Target Audience: P TK
Content: S

Discover, Experiment, Explore: Science Activities for Young Children
Prepare to Explore!  This interactive workshop includes a variety of experiences to utilize in early childhood classrooms.  Join us as we work together as co-researchers, discovering the wonder of science. 
Presenters: Judy Krause, Ed.D.
Pacific Oaks College and Children's School
Target Audience:  P
Content: S

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Form and Function: How To with Infants and Toddlers
Children are born with natural curiosity to explore the world around them.  In the Bunny room, we nurture their inquisitive minds with a developmentally appropriate curriculum: Form and Function.  What is it? Why is it important? Join us as we discuss different approaches and activity modifications with our young children.  Get inspired!  Take with a variety of curriculum possibilities that you can apply with your infants and toddlers. 
Presenter: Eloisa McGah, B.A.
The Children's Center at Caltech
Target Audience:  I T
Content: S T E M

STEM Learning for Infants & Toddlers
Learn strategies to promote infant toddler learning of STEM concepts during family routines.  Primary Strategies include adult-facilitated interactions about STEM concepts and various adaptations to support children's engagement, participation, and learning.
Presenter: Philippa Campbell, Ph.D., & Christine Harradine, Ph.D.
STEMIE, Frank Porter Graham Canter, UNC
Target Audience:  I T
Content: S T E M

Light and Shadow
Under the framework of STEM curriculum, our kindergarten organizes children to carry out scientific exploration, observation and recording of "light and shadow". Children learn different light sources, understand the origin of shadow and the factors causing changes of shadow. Guide children to make their own shadow puppet characters, create stories, and perform shadow puppets on the self-made shadow puppet stage. Children explore the principle and color of light through various activities, and find the relationship between light and shadow.
Presenter: Denny Deng
Fuzhou Yale Jinhui Fengshang Kindergarten
Target Audience: P PK
Content: S T E M

Ramps & Pathways – A Developmentally Appropriate Integrative STEM Experience
Ramps & Pathways nurture STEM identities as children design and build systems to move marbles in interesting ways. Learn how Ramps & Pathways is the perfect context for developmental engineering.
Presenter: Beth VanMeeteren, Ed.D.
Iowa Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education/University of Northern Iowa
Target Audience:  P TK K FG SG
Content: S T E M

How Technology Supports Fantasy, Friendship, and Connection
A journey of our steep learning curve to form continuity of connection with children and families, develop curriculum imbedded in our values, establish joy of being together in new ways and refine our reflective practices.  Even upon returning to campus. 
Presenters: Christine Richard, M.A. Educational Psychology, ECE
The Growing Place
Target Audience: I T P TK
Content: S T

Setting Up Your ZOOM STEM Environments for Success: Through Meaningful Experiences
Attendees will explore targeted, meaningful, and innovative experiences and methods of setting up their Zoom environment as a learning tool for intentional teaching and implementation of a STEM environment.
Presenters: Joshua Alvarez, M.A.
Kaplan Early Learning
Target Audience: I T P TK K FG SG
Content: S T E M