SAE International Becomes First U.S. Based Organization to Offer a Full Continuum of PreK – College STEM Programming

With funding from longtime supporters Arnold and Stephanie Siegel of West Yellowstone, Montana, SAE has created a program that focuses on teaching PreK providers how to create an environment that nurtures young children’s curiosity. The curriculum guides educators to tap into young children’s natural interests and abilities through carefully planned, open-ended, inquiry-based explorations.

“We are excited to expand SAE’s STEM programming to include PreK,” said Chris Ciuca, Director, SAE Pre-Professional Education. “The beauty of the program is that it meets children where they are in their capabilities and nurtures their naturally inquisitive minds. It doesn’t attempt to make the PreK learning experience more like kindergarten.”A key component of the AWIM PreK program is its focus on educators’ professional development. Teachers learn how to integrate STEM concepts into a PreK environment and use curriculum guides for each theme of the program (i.e. Living Things, Our Senses, Moving Things). Each guide features activities that include STEM content, literacy, numeracy and skill development and lessons are delivered in one-hour increments.

“We must engage students as early as possible to help them succeed in school and in STEM subjects and careers,” said Arnold Siegel, who provided seed funding for the program. “If we miss the critical time in a child’s development, we risk losing them as potential technicians, engineers and scientists. And, worse than that, we risk their losing interest in STEM subjects by the time they reach third grade.”

The SAE Foundation is seeking additional funding to create multiple PreK programming opportunities. Learn more about AWIM; email pr(at)sae(dot)org or call 1-724-773-8522.

About SAE International
SAE International is a global association committed to being the ultimate knowledge source for the engineering profession. By uniting more than 127,000 engineers and technical experts, we drive knowledge and expertise across a broad spectrum of industries. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including programs like A World in Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™.