Carbondale Reporter

Kids are never too young to learn, said instructors at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) who will co-host an early childhood STEAM conference on Sept. 19, with several affiliates.

STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

 

The all-day event, which will run 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Morris University Center, will include keynote speakers Toni and Robin Christie from New Zealand.

 

Workshop sessions will supplement speaking events, delving into such topics as technology, music and organizational skills for youngsters. The conference — including lunch, resource materials and seven hours of credit for professional development — costs $50 per person.

 

“The conference gives us a great opportunity to showcase the exemplary early childhood programs we have at the university and the amazing resources the university has to offer educators,” Early Childhood Center (ECC) Director Rebecca Dabbs MacLean said. “We are very proud that we have brought together an exemplary group of educators to lead the breakout sessions.”

 

SIUE’s ECC and Early Childhood Education Program -- within the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior -- collaborated to organize the STEAM conference in conjunction with the Illinois Early Childhood Center of Professional Development and Spaces for Play Inc.

 

“The Early Childhood Center and SIUE early childhood faculty have a long history of working together with science and math for young children,” Elizabeth Sherwood, a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, said. “This conference gives us the opportunity to broaden our focus and to bring in faculty from many departments to share their expertise.”