The ScienceStart! curriculum is an inquiry-based program of learning and teaching that emphasizes science as the key to building knowledge and skills.

"Science meets every child's need to understand the world through active investigation," says Lucia French, associate professor at the Warner School. "With the ScienceStart! Curriculum the daily routine and the classroom layout look like a regular preschool program, but science is the hub around which the teachers' and children's activities are organized."

French originally developed the program seven years ago. Her focus differs from most early childhood programs that scatter science activities throughout the youngsters' schedule. French's curriculum embraces science --and the cycle of inquiry that advances it--as an essential part of the preschool experience.

The curriculum also includes a strong component of parent involvement. Children take home open-ended activities to complete with their parents in the evening.

Science celebrations are scheduled at school to promote interaction between parents and children as well as family literacy nights designed for reading and working on activities.