Imagination Station

Imagination Station will develop Prime Time, a preschool network to promote early STEM learning in partnership with University of Toledo, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, The Early Learner's Collaborative, Aspire, Polly Fox Academy, and Summit YMCA Head Start. Prime Time aims to advance the capacity of the field to plan, implement, and evaluate a model of complementary learning for children under kindergarten age, where, rather than operating discretely, these various educational experiences work in tandem as components of a larger STEM education system. The proposed program will align educational resources in the community to address the learning needs of young children and emphasize family engagement in education. Through the project, Imagination Station will research, analyze, and design features, materials, and mechanisms focused on enhancing and redesigning exhibit space to improve the quality of visitor experience, as well as teach parents, program staff, and volunteers how to promote inquiry and engage in high quality discourse. The project will result in a replicable, scalable model with evaluation findings, videos, and professional development material to help other science centers enhance the STEM education of young children, especially those who are at risk.