Wright, Whitmore, and Gallo Publish in Essays in Education
Early Childhood Education majors Isabella Whitmore and Callie Wright, under the mentorship of Dr. Dawnita Gallo, recently published a manuscript in the open-access journal Essays in Education. Their article, Science Learning Centers in Early Childhood Classrooms, builds upon a poster they presented at the Spring 2025 Student Academic Conference.
Whitmore and Wright conducted an extensive review of literature examining how preschool-aged children explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts. Their work emphasizes the value of inquiry-based science centers in early learning environments—spaces where young children can experiment, investigate, and discover.
Through hands-on exploration, children might test whether objects sink or float, observe how air affects movement, or measure ingredients to complete a recipe. Along the way, they not only build foundational STEM knowledge but also expand their vocabulary, strengthen problem-solving skills, and practice positive interactions with peers and their environment.