We agree that STEM education MUST begin in early childhood.  Join us in the initiative to foster children's innate STEM concepts -- creativity, exploration, and critical thinking -- during the years that matter most, birth to five years.   

Held by:
The Region 9 Head Start Association

The Early Childhood STEM Institute is intended for Early Childhood Educators in the both the Head Start community and the early childhood education community at large, nation-wide.  It is a call to action, in response to the question posed by The National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century (known as the Glenn Commission, 2000); 

 “As our children move toward the day when their decisions will be the ones shaping a new America, will they be equipped with the mathematical and scientific tools needed to meet those challenges and capitalize on those opportunities?”

The purpose of this Institute is to draw from nation-wide expertise to help programs and agencies bring the joy of learning math, science, technology, and engineering concepts  (STEM) to more children, especially ages birth to five years, in a tangible and hands-on way.  Our audience will gain a better understanding of how children innately grasp STEM concepts, and will take home real strategies to develop programs to engage children.  

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REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE

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HOTEL AND TRANSPORTATION

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS:  
R9HSA’s discounted group hotel room rates are $139 (single/ double) 
Discounted rate available until Aug 4, 2014

RESERVATIONS:
The Catamaran Hotel’s direct line: (858) 488-1081; Reservation Line: 800-422-8386; Reservation Link: https://shop.evanshotels.com/catamaran_groups/3200.html.  
Use the group code: Region9STEM 

PARKING:
Hotel Guest Parking is $14/day for self-parking and $22/day for valet. Non-hotel guest parking (no in/out privileges) are $7/day for self-parking and $22/day for valet.

AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION:
The Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa recommends 24-hour airport transportation via Cloud 9 Shuttle or Express Shuttle, which offers the special rate of $12 (Cloud 9) and $11 (Express) per person each way (taxis are approximately $35).  Call 1-800-CLOUD 9 or 1-800-900- RIDE for more information.

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PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE

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CALL FOR PAPERS

We are still accepting presenter proposals!  

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VENDORS, EXHIBITORS, AND SPONSORS

Reserve your space now. 
Download our Sponsor-Exhibitor packet and application here.

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DISTINGUISHED KEYNOTES and PANEL OF EXPERTS

RICHARD LOUV 
Richard Louv is co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Children & Nature Network and the author of eight books, including Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder and The Nature Principle. Translated into 13 languages and published in 17 countries, his books have helped launch an international movement to connect children, families and communities to nature. He is the recipient of the 2008 Audubon Medal; past recipients have included Rachel Carson, E.O. Wilson and Jimmy Carter.  In 2010, he delivered the plenary keynote at the national conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and in 2012 was keynote speaker at the first White House Summit on Environmental Education, and last year gave a keynote address at the Congress for the New Urbanism. He has appeared frequently in national media, including The Today Show, CBS Evening News, and NPR’s Talk of the Nation and Fresh Air. He is a former columnist for The San Diego Union-Tribune and Parents magazine, and has written for The New York Times, the Times of London, and many other publications.  Married to Kathy Frederick Louv, he is the father of two young men, Jason and Matthew. He would rather fish than write. 

CHIP DONAHUE, PhD 
Dr. Donohue is the Dean of Distance Learning and Continuing Education at Erikson Institute in Chicago, where he is leading the development of online Master's degree, certificate and continuing education programs. He is also the Director of the TEC (Technology in Early Childhood) Center at Erikson where he works to empower early childhood educators to make informed decisions about the appropriate and intentional use of technology with young children.  Chip is a Senior Fellow of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media at Saint Vincent College, where he co-chaired the working group that revised the 2012 NAEYC & Fred Rogers Center Joint Position Statement on Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs serving children from Birth through Age 8. In 2014,  Routledge and NAEYC will publish a book he edited, Technology and Digital Media in the Early Years: Tools for Teaching and Learning, that features contributions from thought leaders working at the intersection of child development, early learning, teacher education, research, children’s media, and technology for young children. In 2012 he received the first Bammy Award and the Educators Voice Award as Innovator of the Year from the Academy of Education Arts & Science.

SUSAN WIRTH
Susan Wirth currently serves as Nature Explore Outreach Director for the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation’s collaborative Nature Explore program, a national initiative designed to help children re-connect with the natural world as an integral part of daily learning. She has presented nationally and internationally, including keynotes at state AEYC conferences and the National Science Teachers Association conference.  She has written for national publications such as Head Start’s Children and Families and NAEYC’s Young Children magazines.  She was part of the North American Association for Environmental Education team that wrote the Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence.  Susan holds degrees in education and zoology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a degree in Medical Technology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

A Special Thanks to our Gold Sponsors

Click on images for a direct link to our Gold Sponsors' fantastic resources
 

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Gold Sponsor of Opening Session 

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Gold Sponsor of Director's Luncheon

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