Cultivating Young Scientists: Expanding Foundations of Science Literacy (CYS)

Foundations of Science Literacy (FSL) is a comprehensive professional development program in science for preschool teachers. FSL integrates college-level coursework, mentoring, a nationally recognized science curriculum, and classroom-based assignments. The project’s goal is to support teachers’ abilities to create a classroom culture of inquiry and to engage their young students in authentic “minds-on” science explorations.

Cultivating Young Scientists (CYS) is funded by the Institute for Education Sciences, and builds upon FSL. CYS offers three major innovations:

1. Develop a toolkit of formative assessments designed to help teachers assess children’s scientific understanding and thinking, and plan effective instruction.
2. Develop a sustainable professional development program for early childhood teachers in Connecticut through our collaboration with the Connecticut Science Center (CSC)
3. Build upon the strengths of FSL in physical science (Water) and expand that course to include life and earth science (Nature) and the discipline of engineering (Structures)