Ellis Early Learning Receives Support fromPartners to Strengthen its STEM Program

Ellis Early Learning has enhanced its STEM education program with the addition of a dedicated STEM exploration educator and a large donation of educational toys, thanks to corporate partners who support Ellis's efforts to engage children in science, technology, engineering and math learning activities.

Ellis received a donation in December of 375 educational toys from Amazon for use in its STEM Exploration Labs, engaging environments where young children can test their ideas, solve problems and develop their understanding of complex concepts.

Ellis also recently hired an educator Ana Davis who leads the STEM exploration program, which resulted from funding from National Grid and PwC.

"We are tremendously grateful for Amazon, National Grid and PwC's support of our STEM program as we strive to set students up for success in school and throughout their lives," said Ellis Early Learning CEO Lauren Cook. "These additional resources, particularly an educator dedicated to STEM-related learning, will enable our initiative to flourish for the benefit of our young learners."

Ellis opened a pair of STEM Exploration Labs for toddlers and preschoolers, respectively, at its South End centers in September 2023. The STEM labs are separate classrooms designed to look like children's playhouses and outfitted with engaging, age-appropriate equipment, supplies and materials to encourage children's natural curiosity. They were funded by the Boston Public Schools in addition to individual and family foundation donors.

One objective of the STEM lab initiative is to teach preschoolers the basics of (screen-free) coding to enhance their problem-solving and logical thinking skills. The Ellis STEM program offers targeted equipment like a magnet wall where children can explore gravity and the many ways a path can be created and redirected, and a multi-directional wind tunnel demonstrating the relationship that wind and direction share.

Studies show that STEM in early education can lead to later success in school and in the workplace; however, children who live in poverty and children who are members of linguistic and ethnic minority groups, have fewer opportunities to engage in STEM learning than their fellow learners. Additionally, many early childhood teachers are not prepared to engage children in high-quality STEM education.

Ellis is committed to helping all children develop the social, emotional and academic skills they need to be successful in school and in life. The nonprofit stands out for being among the most socio-economically, racially and culturally diverse organizations serving the children of Boston. Over 60% of Ellis families receive child care subsidies from the government and 65% of participants are people of color.