Congresswoman Kuster with children at PSU’s Center for Young Children & Families

A high resolution of this photo is available here.

(Plymouth, NH) – Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) met with educators, administrators and students at Plymouth State University’s Center for Young Children and Families (CYCF) to discuss PSU’s early learning STEM instruction initiatives. Kuster highlighted her legislation, the Early STEM Achievement Act, which would establish a competitive program under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education to provide assistance for early childhood STEM programs and teacher training that meet certain requirements.

“In our 21^st century economy, the demand for jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is only increasing, and we need to ensure future generations are prepared to take on these jobs,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Plymouth State University’s Center for Young Children and Families knows firsthand that simple, age-appropriate activities, like building a tower or bridge of blocks or playing at a water table, can help encourage interest in STEM at a young age. I appreciate hearing from leaders in early STEM education at Plymouth State today, and I will share their ideas and feedback with my colleagues as we continue working to ensure hands-on learning for our future workforce and economy.”

“The children here at the PSU Center for Young Children and Families, like young children everywhere, love to explore, investigate, try out their ideas, make things, and try to figure out how things work,” said Pat Cantor, member of the PSU Department of Early Childhood Education. “Rep. Kuster's Early Childhood STEM initiative recognizes the power and value of these early STEM experiences and supports early childhood teachers in their efforts to nurture children's curiosity and eagerness to learn about the world.”

Kuster was joined by Don Birx, President of PSU; Dr. Mary Cornish, Chair of PSU Department of Early Childhood Education; Dr. Pat Cantor, member of PSU Department of Early Childhood Education; Karen Sanders, Director of PSU Center for Young Children and Families; Meredith Leighton, staff member at PSU Center for Young Children and Families, PSU administrators and PSU students, among others.                                                                                             

###