Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and Northrop Grumman Foundation have renewed their partnership in continuance of a national Early Childhood STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Learning Through the Arts initiative for preschool and Kindergarten children, their teachers, parents, and caregivers at ten locations around the country.
This renewal announcement comes following a successful first year. The initiative integrates elements of the performing arts into existing school curriculum to teach STEM concepts and skills to children in the ages of three to five years.
It features multi-session classroom residencies, professional development workshops for administrators, teachers, and specialists, and family involvement workshops for parents and caregivers. In each of these sessions, Wolf Trap Teaching Artists will provide instruction and collaborate with participants on ways to engage children in active STEM learning.
“We appreciate Northrop Grumman’s continued support and partnership on this Wolf Trap mission-critical program helping to prepare teachers, and to provide the next generation of students with the crucial skills they will need to fully round out their intellectual development,” said Terrence Jones, president and CEO of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.
The Wolf Trap Early Childhood STEM Learning Through the Arts program was launched in 2010 in the metro D.C. region. Schools in Waldorf, MD, Cambridge, MD, Redondo Beach, CA, Melbourne, FL, Fairfax, VA, Hopewell, VA, Petersburg, VA, Lawton, OK, Colorado Springs, CO, and Irving, TX will have the second year of this Northrop Grumman-sponsored available.
“The Northrop Grumman Foundation is committed to providing unique educational experiences related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for students and teachers.” said Sandra Evers-Manly, vice president of corporate responsibility and president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. “We have seen great success with the many STEM programs we support around the country for middle and high school students and teachers. We are pleased to once again partner with Wolf Trap on this program to reach children even earlier in their education, tapping into their natural interest in the arts, to encourage interest and curiosity in the topics of STEM.”
