Help Bring S.T.E.A.M. to Life for Livingston County’s Littlest Learners

What does science look like when you’re 2?

It might be dropping a ball down a ramp over and over again to see what happens.

Technology might mean pushing a button and discovering that something moves. Engineering could be building a tower—and rebuilding it when it tumbles down. Math can happen while sorting colorful objects, and art might begin with wondering what happens when two colors mix.

For young children, S.T.E.A.M. learning happens through play, exploration and discovery.

This November, Help Me Grow Livingston, Great Start Livingston and Livingston Educational Service Agency are bringing those experiences together for Little Explorers’ S.T.E.A.M. Night—and we need community partners to help bring it to life!

We’re Looking for Station Hosts!

We are inviting local organizations, schools, libraries, businesses and community groups to host interactive activity stations designed especially for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

This isn’t a vendor fair. Instead of simply telling families about what you do, we’re inviting you to get down on their level and explore alongside them.

Your station should give children something they can touch, build, create, investigate, move, test or discover with their grown-up.

HOST A S.T.E.A.M. STATION

What Does a S.T.E.A.M. Station Look Like?

You don’t have to be a scientist, engineer—or even a S.T.E.A.M. expert—to participate.

S.T.E.A.M. for young children looks a lot like:

PLAY!

Activities don’t have to fit neatly into just one category. That’s part of the fun! A child who builds a ramp, chooses a ball, predicts what will happen and then tests it may be exploring science, engineering and math at the same time.

See S.T.E.A.M. Through a Child’s Eyes

At our previous S.T.E.A.M. event, young children investigated, built, experimented, created and explored alongside their grown-ups.

These experiences don’t have to be complicated. The magic is in giving children something they can actively explore.

Photos from a previous Great Start Livingston S.T.E.A.M. event.

The Best Stations Let Children DO, Not Just Watch

Activities don’t need to be elaborate or expensive. Some of the simplest materials can create wonderful opportunities for young children to investigate how their world works.

A great Little Explorers activity might give a child an opportunity to:

• Try something more than once
• Make a choice
• Change something and see what happens
• Build or create something
• Predict and test an idea
• Use their bodies and senses
• Solve a problem and try again

Families will arrive throughout the evening and move between stations at their own pace. Activities should be easy for children to join at any time rather than requiring everyone to begin together or complete a long series of steps.

S.T.E.A.M. Play Helps Children Grow, Too

When a baby reaches for an object, a toddler tries to make something work or a preschooler rebuilds a tower that fell down, there is a lot of learning happening beneath the surface.

Hands-on S.T.E.A.M. experiences can give children opportunities to practice important developmental skills, including:

You don’t need to address every area. One simple, engaging activity is perfect!

Community Partners Make It Possible

Little Explorers’ S.T.E.A.M. Night is a community effort.

At our previous S.T.E.A.M. event, local organizations and volunteers brought their creativity, knowledge and enthusiasm to create hands-on experiences for young children and their families.

You don’t need an elaborate exhibit to make an impact. A simple activity and a willingness to get down on a child’s level, encourage exploration and have fun can create a meaningful experience for families.

Community partners help turn simple ideas into opportunities for Livingston County families to play, learn and connect.

Could This Be Your Organization in November?

Libraries, schools, businesses, early childhood programs, community organizations, clubs and other groups that care about young children and families can all bring something unique to the evening.

Your organization doesn’t need an elaborate exhibit. Bring an activity, bring your team and be ready to explore alongside children and their grown-ups.

YES! WE’D LIKE TO HOST A STATION

What Do Station Hosts Provide?

Participating organizations provide:

• A simple, hands-on activity appropriate for babies, toddlers and/or preschoolers
• The materials needed for the activity
• Team member(s) to interact with children and families
• Setup and cleanup of their station

Station hosts should plan to arrive at 4:15 p.m. for setup and host their activity throughout the event from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Great Start Livingston, Help Me Grow Livingston and Livingston Educational Service Agency will coordinate the overall event, family registration, promotion and event space. Pizza and water will also be provided.

This Is About Connection, Not Promotion

Little Explorers’ S.T.E.A.M. Night is an activity-focused family event rather than a vendor fair.

You’re welcome to identify your organization with a tablecloth, sign, shirts or nametags. We simply ask that the focus of your station be interacting with children and families rather than selling products or distributing promotional materials.

It’s also a wonderful opportunity for families to meet organizations in their community in a natural way—while you’re building, experimenting, creating and playing together.

Have an Idea? We’d Love to Hear It!

Not quite sure whether your idea counts as S.T.E.A.M.? That’s okay!

Tell us what you’re thinking. We’re happy to help identify where your activity fits, brainstorm with you or help determine which ages your activity may work best for.

When you complete the Station Host Form, you can also tell us about any space or setup needs so we can plan the event around the activities our partners are bringing.

Together, we can give Livingston County’s littlest learners—and the grown-ups who love them—a night to play, explore, wonder and discover.