​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 PSI Recap

This year, the Preschool STEM Institute welcomed educators from 13 states for two days of learning, collaboration, and joyful exploration centered on The Power of Motion: Exploring Movement in Early STEM Environments.
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Throughout the Institute, participants explored the many ways movement can support meaningful STEM learning for young children. Experiences included embodied mathematics, risky play, movement games, engineering musical instruments, and hands-on challenges designed to encourage educators to think differently about movement, access, and participation.
Across each experience, educators were invited to move, wonder, experiment, create, and reflect together—reinforcing the idea that meaningful early STEM learning begins with curiosity, creativity, and connection.

We are grateful to our nine facilitators who shared their expertise, passion, and innovative approaches throughout the Institute, as well as the educators who joined us from across the country. Their thoughtful questions, reflections, willingness to experiment, and shared learning made the 2026 Preschool STEM Institute a meaningful professional learning experience and a wonderful reminder of what is possible when educators learn alongside one another.

"This is one of the best virtual hands-on learning experiences I have had! ... I have strategies and activities to take back to start the year off with excitement and engagement!"
-2026 Participant
"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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Want More Before July 2027?

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​
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​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​

Explore Big Ideas in Preschool STEM with Colleagues

That's a Wrap!
Past PSI Events

2025 Institute

Picture
Picture This! Integrating STEM with Literacy and Art
Our first ever 2-day event with
  • 50+ participants
  • 10 co-facilitators
  • 16 states & 2 Canadian Territories 

2024 Institute

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

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
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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!