Marvelous Explorations through Science and Stories: MESS®
Overview
Marvelous Explorations Through Science and Stories: MESS® is a science-centered early childhood curriculum enhancement, first developed by a partnership among the Florida Museum of Natural History, Alachua County Library District/Youth Services, and Alachua County Public Schools Early Intervention Services/Prenatal to 5 Year Old Program. The goal of MESS is to foster children's language development, literacy development, problem solving, curiosity and motivation, and general knowledge through science experiences. An Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant and a ChevronTexaco Foundation Touch Science Grant provided initial funding for MESS. Funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families is supporting the further development and expansion of MESS in Head Start classrooms in Marion County, Florida. MESS includes 10 month-long units that are appropriate for 3- through 5-year-old children. Each unit includes field-tested science experiences, suggestions for ways to integrate each topic across the curriculum, lists of recommended books and science materials, and ideas for involving families in children's learning at home and in other settings.
Partners
Alachua County Library District
Alachua County Public Schools
Childhood Development Services, Inc.
Marion County Public Library System
Staff
Betty A. Dunckel, Ph.D., PI/PD
Shari Ellis, Ph.D., Co-PI, Project Director
Dale Johnson, Design and Illustration
Funding
Administration for Children and Families
ChevronTexaco Foundation
Florida Museum Associates
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Thomas H. Maren Foundation
Wachovia Foundation
Download Educators' Guides & Recommended Materials
Discovering Science Webcast
Office of Head Start Teacher's Guide to the Discovering Science Webcast Series
Return to the Center for Informal Science Education overview