Participants are provided with an intensive 2-week summer program combining guided and individualized professional development experiences. The goals of the summer institutes are to increase PreK-3 teachers' science content knowledge, understanding of science standards and high leverage pedagogical practices in science instruction. These goals are addressed through three types of sessions: an inquiry immersion experience session, a metacognitive session, and an instructional planning session.

During the academic year, classroom teachers participate in monthly PLCs composed of grade level peers. NURTURES’ staff facilitates the PLCs; topics build on ideas introduced during the summer institutes and focus on teacher interests or identified challenges.

Participants will also be provided individualized coaching experiences throughout the academic year. Participants and coaches will set goals, discuss pedagogical practices needing addressed, and implement quality lesson plans and materials.

Participants receive sets of Family Packs and Family Engagement kits to support parent/caregiver engagement with their children in the context of science learning.

• Family Packs contain interesting science inquiry activities aligned with the curriculum standards designed to help parents/caregivers engage with their children in the context of science learning.

• Family Engagement Events, supported by NURTURES Family Engagment Kits, provide families with opportunities to engage in informal science activities after school or in the community (e.g., engineering challenges, simulations, observations, demonstrations).

Take home bags contain engaging activities designed to make home-school connections in science and encourage family science inquiry and discourse.

Event activities are geared for families of young children and are designed to foster adult-child interaction around a variety of science topics.