Teach. Talent. Thrive., or T3, is launching STEAM Ahead!, a reading program targeting very young readers knowing it’s never too early to learn about STEAM concepts and careers.
The program kicks off December 7 with an exciting partnership to hand out 1,200 copies of modern favorites Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; and Ada Twist, Scientist at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts school series performance of Rosie Revere and Friends.
The program is working to put more age-appropriate books into the hands of the region’s early readers in grades one through three introducing them to STEAM concepts and careers while helping to increase literacy skills.
“It’s so important we do things like this,” said Edythe Hatter-Williams, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!, a partner of T3 and one of the program’s sponsors. “Learning to read before third grade is critical for children to be prepared for school, careers and life. The goal for third graders is to learn how to read. The goal after third grade is to read to learn.”
Capital Area District Libraries played a leading role in bringing the program to life, along with the support of sponsors Capital Area Michigan Works!, Capital Area United Way, H&H Restaurants, Jack Davis, Maner Costerisan Certified Public Accountants, MSU Federal Credit Union, the Wharton Center for Performing Arts and Peckham Industries.
“If we want our region to compete in the future, we need to ensure our young students and learners are being exposed to new economy and careers,” said Brindley Byrd, facilitator for T3.
“It’s never too early to start.” Teach. Talent. Thrive., or T3, is a network of connected assets announced in January 2016 to support education and talent development in the capital area.
T3 is committed to helping the capital area become the exemplary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) region in America. For more, visit teachtalentthrive.org.
