NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts received a grant to increase educator understanding of the science of early learning through the Berkshire Early Learning Lab.

 

Administered by the state Department of Early Education and Care, the nearly $104,000 grant, called the Improving Teacher Quality Title II, Part A Grant, will fund a partnership between MCLA and local school districts, early education and care providers, as well as local museums. They will offer a professional development program to educators who teach pre-K through the second grade.

 

The 3-year program will be grounded in the science of early learning and focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subject areas, as the teachers prepare to utilize developmentally appropriate curriculum. In addition, Berkshire Early Learning Lab will include educational programming at museum partner sites.

 

"This is an exciting partnership in building early educator capacity and forming stronger connections between and among the college, school districts, early education and care providers, and the museums," said Cynthia Brown, vice president of academic affairs.

 

During the first year, the project will focus on STEM learning experiences. Years two and three will center more on arts integration and the production of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) units.

 

The partners in this project are MCLA's education department and STEM programs, Adams-Cheshire Regional School District, North Adams Public Schools, Northern Berkshire School Union, Berkshire Head Start, Child Care of the Berkshires, Berkshire Museum and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

 

For more information, go to www.mcla.edu.