​The Preschool STEM Institute is an interactive, virtual professional learning experience for anyone who supports preschool educators. The content of the training focuses on supporting S.T.E. & M. and integrated STEM teaching and learning for 3-to-5-year-olds.

2026 Details

Theme: Movement
​Exploring the science of movement and well-being—science and technology through sports, the health benefits of exercise, embodied learning, dance and yoga with young children, and more!

Why Register?
  • Explore what are S.T.E.M. and integrated STEM in preschool
  • Connect with other preschool teachers, coaches, master teachers, directors, teacher educators from across the United States and beyond
  • Receive materials, books, links, and more to support your practice
  • Have fun!

Included in Fee
  • Entry into full-day, virtual Preschool STEM Institute
  • Access to slides for modules
  • Materials, articles, and resources Kit
    • Articles
    • Book for Educators
    • Children's books
    • Materials for hands-on engagement
    • Padlet site especially for attendees with downloads
  • ​Follow up sessions with facilitators during following school year
"I loved everything about today!"

"I dreamed up a bunch of new ideas to teach in my classroom."
-2024 attendee comments


"The positive attitudes and friendliness of the facilitators made the Institute a fun experience! Also, having the resources for some hands-on activities sent to me ahead of time was much appreciated!"

"Thank you so much! It was very engaging and I learned a great deal to take back to my classroom! The kit and books were very helpful!"
- 2023 attendee comments




"We have been given a wealth of resources that I can learn more from and use, as well as share with educators."


"I appreciate the intentional link between the summer Institute and the upcoming STEM Workshops through the year. I'm already looking forward to reconnecting with this group..."
- 2022 attendee comments


"Thank you so much! I really enjoyed the Institute!"
- 2021 attendee
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2025 a Smashing Success!

Map of 2025 PSI Attendee and Facilitator Locations
We had a marvelous time co-facilitating our first ever 2-day PSI this year, along with a group of incredible educators. Check them out below.

Missed out? Register interest now and save the dates for 2026 to hear first about grants and registration! 

2026 Dates: Thursday, July 9 & Friday, July 10 

You can:

2025 Co-Facilitator Team​

Day 1: Literacy + STEM
July 10, 2025

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 Liria Caesar 
Bilingual Preschool Teacher in Passaic, NJ with 19 years of classroom experience
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Courtney Waring
Director of Education, Eric Carle Museum
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Jessica Amsbary
Program Coordinator for the Master for Experienced Teachers in Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & Technical Assistance Support, STEM for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMIE)
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Day 2: Art + STEM
July 11, 2025

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Ron Grady
Author of Honoring the Moment in Young Children's Lives & Founder of Childology 
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Olawale Olubowale
Assistant Professor in the School of Child and Youth Care, Trauma-informed care, Toronto Metropolitan University
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Poh Tan
Stem Cell Biologist & STEM Educator, Founder & CEO of STEMedge Inc., Research Associate, Institute for Environmental Learning and Simon Fraser University. 

Co-Facilitators - Both Days

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Alissa A. Lange
Director, EC STEM Lab & the Center of Excellence in STEM Education, East Tennessee State University
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Amie Perry
Assistant Director, EC STEM Lab & PhD Student, Early Childhood Education, East Tennessee State University
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​Angela Shelton
Clinical Instructor, Literacy specialist, East Tennessee State University
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Jennifer Bilbrey
​Adjunct Professor, Early Childhood STEM Course, Former teacher, East Tennessee State University

Want More Before July 2026?

Fine Print of PSI

The Preschool STEM Institute is led by the EC STEM Lab team.

Goals
  • Describe definitions, importance, and power of S.T.E.M. and integrated STEM in preschool
  • Identify strategies to support science and STEM learning in preschool
  • Connect with colleagues across the country and book authors
  • Leave with new ideas to support developmentally appropriate, inspiring early science and STEM learning experiences with teachers

JOIN US
  • Virtual professional learning experience
  • For coaches, master teachers, directors, and anyone else responsible for supporting preschool educators
  • Focused on STEM teaching and learning for 3-to-5-year-olds
  • Hands-on, minds-on interactive style

WHY ATTEND?
  • Learn about big ideas in preschool STEM with
    • EC STEM Lab team
    • Co-led by author(s) of the Preschool STEM book
    • Teacher educators from across the region, country, & beyond
 
  • Dive into research-based STEM activities to support your teachers
  • Take training materials back to your center, school, program, or district
  • Get professional development hours approved by TrainTN
  • Get CEUs (.6) available from ETSU for additional $25 fee (optional - must request in advance)
  • Experience professional learning supports that build on our work  funded by the National Science Foundation​
 ​
​GRANTS 
  • Limited number of grants available
  • Covers full cost of PSI


​COST - 2026
  • $200
  • only one option
  • sessions recorded for later viewing

INCLUDED IN FEE
  • Entry into two full-days of the virtual Preschool STEM Institute event
  • For all Modules
    • Materials, articles, and resources to share with teachers
    • Editable slide decks
    • STEM materials
    • Children's books
    • Padlet site especially for attendees with downloads
    • ​Book - see above for details
  • Follow up coaching or co-presentation options available with presenters during following school year​

Thanks to our 2025 Funders and Supporters!

Explore Big Ideas in Preschool STEM with Colleagues

That's a Wrap!
Past PSI Events

2024 Institute

Community Connections & Preschool STEM
​​
And we did connect and create a STEM community  
  • 49 Participants
  • 18 states & 1 Canadian Territory 
  • 1,200+ preschool teachers reached

Join us next year and explore a literacy and art adventure!

2023 Institute

Together, we
  • provided an overview of what is S.T.E.M. and integrated STEM in preschool
  • emphasized the "S" in STEM
  • connected the content to the theme of space science

By the Numbers
  • 41 educators attended
  • 18 states represented
  • 1,200 preschool teachers to be reached

2022 Institute

Connect, Learn, Laugh
​​
And we did connect, learn, and laugh together on the topic of integrating social emotional learning (SEL) and STEM.
  • 43 attendees
  • 16 states 
  • 1,000 preschool teachers to be reached

The PSI is linked to our Preschool STEM Workshop series as well, which is free to all. Learn more.

Join us next year to be a part of the next professional learning adventure!

2021 Institute

Our ​1st Annual Preschool STEM Institute 2021 was a success! ​

​On Friday, July 9th, 2021 from 9am-4pm eastern time, we explored "STEM in the Garden: Supporting Preschool Teachers to Incorporate STEM Throughout the Day"
  • 35 educators
  • 12 states, 3 countries
  • 600 preschool teachers to be reached

Thanks!
  • NSTA provided free copies of Science and Children 
  • Childcare Exchange provided free Exchange professional development resources
  • This work was funded (in part) by a grant from the East Tennessee State University Research Development Committee Small Grants Program.
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Science journals!
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Putting her engineered trellis to use!
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