Earth Day Celebration at Head Start

UNCW’s Center for Education in Science, Tech, Engineering and Math (CESTEM), the Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) and Jr Seahawk Academy joined forces to celebrate Earth Day and North Carolina Science Festival at Piney Grove Head Start on April 22.

Eighty children, ages three to five, participated in the event, which featured stations where the children could explore how plants grow, build a shelter for animals and create Earth Day crowns. At other stations, they learned about the importance of saving the bees, creating wind energy and protecting the oceans. All of the children were encouraged to become earth protectors!

“The NC Science Festival event at Head Start was great fun,” said Amy Moody, professor of early childhood and special education, director of CAT and chair of WCE’s Department of Instructional Technology, Foundations and Secondary Education. “Thank you Robin Smith and STEM dream team for making this all possible. We had happy hearts following the celebration with so many adorable children!”

Robin Smith ’18 graduated from the Watson College with a degree in the Education of Young Children. She is now a Piney Grove Head Start lead teacher. Her ongoing collaboration with former WCE faculty members including Dr. Moody, led to the planning of the event.

Angie Reid Griffin, Heddy Clark, Michelle Hafey and Gianna Geiss partnered with Moody to coordinate the Head Start celebration. Reid-Griffin is a professor of secondary science education and coordinator of Junior Seahawk Academy. Clark is director of STEM Education & Engagement at the Watson College, Hafey is a program associate for CESTEM and Geiss is CESTEM’s administrative associate.

Students in the Transition Program for Young Adults (TPYA) classroom at UNCW’s Watson College of Education helped the WCE STEM Team lead stations at the event.