Early Childhood – Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance https://mmsa.org Mon, 17 Nov 2025 20:33:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://mmsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/MMSA-Mark-2-150x150.png Early Childhood – Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance https://mmsa.org 32 32 Developing, Testing, and Refining Professional Learning Materials to Support Play-Based Science https://mmsa.org/play-based-science/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:52:59 +0000 https://mmsa.test/play-based-science/ How do you design a 2-year professional learning series focused on play-based science? You need a clear vision, careful planning, and collaboration with key stakeholders. For the SciEPlay project, it starts with a dedicated team of STEM education specialists, researchers, and early childhood educators. Over the past three years, the SciEPlay team has developed a suite of professional learning…

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]]> Reflecting on a Year of SciEPlay Professional Learning https://mmsa.org/scieplay-professional-learning-retrospective/ Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:22:40 +0000 https://mmsa.test/scieplay-professional-learning-retrospective/ SciEPlay, a collaborative research project investigating the intersection of science, engineering, and play in early childhood education, recently concluded its inaugural year with PreK and Kindergarten teachers. A cohort of 11 early childhood educators across Maine participated in research activities, professional learning, and coaching sessions during the 2023-2024 school year.

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]]> SciEPlay Partner Spotlight: Dr. Rachel Larimore on Nature-Based Learning https://mmsa.org/scieplay-rachel-larimore/ Tue, 28 May 2024 22:50:17 +0000 https://mmsa.test/scieplay-rachel-larimore/ Meet Rachel Larimore, Ph.D.(opens in a new tab), founder and chief visionary of Samara Early Learning(opens in a new tab) and one of our key collaborators on the SciEPlay project. Rachel is a celebrated educator, speaker, consultant, and author of multiple books, including Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool, Preschool Beyond Walls, and Evaluating Natureness. Her passion and expertise is nature…

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]]> Transforming Early Science Education Through Play https://mmsa.org/scieplay-transforming-early-science-education-through-play/ Fri, 05 Apr 2024 20:58:38 +0000 https://mmsa.test/scieplay-transforming-early-science-education-through-play/ Gone are the days of rote memorization and passive learning. Imagine a science classroom where young children are gleefully splashing in puddles, exploring the movement of water. After some initial study, they build channels and dams to test their ideas. Welcome to the world of SciEPlay, a pioneering collaboration between MMSA, Bowdoin College(opens in a new tab), and Samara Early Learning(opens…

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