Play-Based STEM Pilot in Daycares Achieves 100% Student Fun and Major Gains in Confidence & Curiosity

Raleigh, NC – January 23, 2026

A free STEM pilot from STEM For Kids® delivered transformative results in early childcare centers and daycares, with 100% of participating children (ages 3.5–6) reporting they had fun with STEM activities. Pre- and post-program surveys showed dramatic gains in engagement, confidence, curiosity, and real-world STEM understanding.

Across 11 daycares in Texas, South Carolina, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Georgia - involving 13 teachers and 81 students - key highlights include:

• 90% of children now like learning STEM (+48.1 percentage points)

• 90% want to do more STEM (+46.5 percentage points)

• 100% feel confident to learn, discover, and create (+23.5 points in strong confidence)

• 100% see themselves as smart (+23.9 points) 

Teachers observed these shifts in action: children eagerly problem-solved, collaborated, and showed excitement during hands-on projects.

The pilot's play-based biomedical engineering activities—trained and supported by STEM For Kids®—integrated creative arts with STEM through building/decorating prosthetic hands, exploring the skeletal system, and solving real-world challenges via guided inquiry and exploration.

Teachers rated the training and resources highly, averaging 4.18/5 for ease of use. “I felt confident doing STEM for the first time,” one teacher said.

These experiences fostered deep real-world connections: 82% of children now recognize how science applies outside school (shifting prior disagreement to agreement or curiosity in just two weeks). Students retained knowledge (e.g., 60% explained prosthetics, 20% described bones/movement), built vocabulary, and honed fine motor skills. Favorite elements? 50% loved the prosthetic hand project, and 40% cited building activities.

Social-emotional benefits shone through: 50% of children described using STEM “to help others,” with teachers hearing phrases like “helping our friend with a hand.” Empathy, purpose, and compassion grew naturally.

Learning extended beyond the classroom. Parents reported:

This play-based approach aligns strongly with ECERS and SACERS environment rating scales by promoting high-quality process elements—such as rich science discovery materials, supportive teacher-child interactions, creative play, and integrated learning activities—that enhance cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development in rated early childhood settings.

The pilot reinforces STEM For Kids’ mission to Make STEM Fun and Real, proving even the youngest learners can build lasting confidence, curiosity, problem-solving, and compassion through purposeful play.

The free STEM Pilot Program continues on a rolling basis. Early childcare centers and daycares can sign up now: https://teach4d.stemforkids.net/pilot 

About STEM For Kids

STEM For Kids® empowers educators and caregivers with hands-on STEM programs that blend fun, real-world discovery with life skills like the 4Cs (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity). Founded in 2011 in Raleigh, NC, by Moni Singh, the organization has grown to serve communities globally through camps, afterschool programs, in-school partnerships, and franchises. With a mission to "Make STEM Fun and Real," STEM For Kids inspires young innovators while fostering educator fulfillment. 

Learn more at https://stemforkids.net/ 

Add your community now, https://teach4d.stemforkids.net/edu-services  

For media inquiries contact sales@stemforkids.net