History of the Early Education STEAM Center
The Marshall University Early Education STEAM Center first opened its doors in 2010. Established under the auspices of the June Harless Center for Rural Educational Research and Development, the program began in one classroom on Marshall University’s campus. Since that time, the center has expanded by adding another classroom at Explorer Academy in Huntington, WV in partnership with Cabell County Schools. In 2018, both locations were affirmed as nationally accredited early childhood centers by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), making Explorer Academy the very first nationally accredited pre-k classroom in a public school building. In 2023, we expanded to open a classroom for toddler-aged children. Our program continues to provide high-quality professional learning for in-service and pre-service teachers in West Virginia.
Our Mission
The Marshall University Early Education STEAM Center prides itself on offering high-quality early education experiences to all involved in the early education program. Our mission is to provide a holistic early education program weaving STEAM content into play-based learning.
The program’s philosophy is influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach, which includes the following principles:
- The program exists to promote a child-initiated, teacher-supported curriculum in which children’s curiosities about the environment are supported and encouraged.
- The program is based on a co-constructivist theory that promotes a dual relationship between teacher and child in which both explore, experiment, and problem-solve issues and questions relevant to daily life.
- The program is intended to meet individual development, regardless of special needs. Each child is an individual with specific needs at all developmental levels.
- The environment promotes a nurturing experience in which children can explore, manipulate, and investigate in a safe environment.
Our Goals
Our goals are to create a STEAM-focused model of early childhood education where all stakeholders collaborate to establish a learning environment that empowers learners:
- to develop problem-solving skills and self-help skills, positive health habits, and appropriate interactions with others.
- to channel creativity and self-expression.
- to develop coordinated motor skills through experiences and provocations in both indoor and outdoor environments.
- to embrace multicultural and world language diversity.
- to engage in STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) experiences regularly through exploration of expeditions and fieldwork experiences.
Our Program
The Marshall University Early Education STEAM Center exists to focus on this time in child development as a unique and opportune stage, worthy of its own distinctive approach to environmental, inquiry-based, hands-on, concrete learning. The children who progress through the program are developing a foundation for the life-long experience of learning and living in today’s global society.
The preschool classroom is open year-round, Monday-Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This classroom is for children ages 26 to 43 months of age.
The preschool classroom, for children who meet the enrollment requirements of West Virginia Universal Pre-K, is open August through May, Monday-Friday 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. We also offer extended programming for families who need care before and after the Universal Pre-K day.
Contact the Early Education STEAM Center
For more information about our program or enrolling your child, please contact our Early Learning Coordinator, Kelcie Blankenship, at jones506@marshall.edu
For more information about professional learning opportunities, contact Elizabeth Crawford, at houck26@marshall.edu.