Where do YOU fit into the math, science or computer-science community?

Count Play Explore is making these topics accessible to everyone. And their content is fun, easy and free–for children ages birth to eight, their teachers and their families.

An initiative led by the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Early Care and Education Department, Count Play Explore offers playful math, science and computer science lessons.

And they start with storytelling or other fun activities.

Count Play Explore’s website features more than 150 guides to children’s books. These include lessons on money, problem solving, spatial thinking, geometry, life science and growth science.

In addition, there are videos, approximately two minutes each, of various everyday activities which can incorporate STEAM lessons.

“We want people to recognize that these things are fun to do, and you’re doing them all the time,” explains Fresno County Office of Education Director of STEM Education and Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Early Math Jonathan Dueck.

Opening STEM to all

The goal, Jon says, is for all participants–students, parents and teachers–to see themselves as belonging in the areas of math, computer science and science.

“We want…people to have a good attitude about (these subjects) and not say things like, ‘I’m not a math person,’ or ‘I’m just no good at science’,” Jon says.

“Because we are. We are good at it; we just don’t recognize how often we’re taking advantage of the knowledge people see as ‘everyday’.”

On their website, Count Play Explore offers a tab with resources specifically for families, as well as one geared to educators. They also have a newsletter, to which everyone is welcome to subscribe.

In addition, they host training events, throughout the year, for educators–and in fact. for anyone who interacts with children. Many of these are free! One upcoming virtual event, “Early STEAM Fall Forum”, is happening October 20th.

Jon shared the story of Count Play Explore, offered a closer look at some of their content and discussed what’s coming next.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Jon first realized the “fun” aspects of math during his own educational journey;

• One of his favorite memories of bringing math to life for others;

• The story of the Count Play Explore initiative;

• Some of the ways the program is engaging students and families in math, science and computer science activities;

• A closer look at some of the books the initiative uses to teach money from a storytelling perspective;

• A video that brings coding to life by applying it to an everyday interaction;

• Some of the supporting materials available for educators;

• How one of the exercises for teachers came about;

• Ways a more arts-oriented person, such as an art teacher, belongs in the math, science and computer science worlds;

• Some of the new book guides that are coming out;

• A general science lesson, on what we perceive as beautiful;

• Start Here, an upcoming two-day free event happening across the state of California;

• How to sign up for their free events;

• Where to follow Count Play Explore on their socials;

• Their upcoming free virtual “Early STEAM Fall Forum”;

• One of the most fun experiences Jon has had, with Count Play Explore;

• How to support Count Play Explore;

• The possibility of the program expanding nationally.