Science

This expanded second edition offers a rich collection of 35 design challenges for children ages 3 - 8, featuring both updated favorites and brand new activities. It also includes a curated list of 140 picture books that inspire STEM-focused exploration while reflecting the diverse experiences, interests, and identities of young learners.  Educators will find enhanced foundational content, including clearer connections among tinkering, making, and engineering; updated terminology aligned with current research on how children learn; and practical guidance on observing, documenting, and assessing learning. A customizable planning template for creating your own design challenges is also available online.  With this hands-on resource, you can harness children's natural curiosity and creativity to spark meaningful STEM discovery and learning through play.

Young children need a strong foundation in understanding water's role in our world, especially as climate change impacts ecosystems, weather, and daily life. Gadzikowski provides educators with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Next Generation Science Standards. This resource builds vocabulary, supports scientific exploration, and fosters children's curiosity about the importance of water in natural and human-made systems. With engaging ideas for play-based engineering investigations, the book helps children develop critical thinking skills while nurturing a lifelong appreciation for water and its impact on our planet.