NASA GCDC Goddard Child Development Center
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Selecting Toys That Promote an Understanding and Love of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Young children can be introduced to basic STEM concepts through play.  GCDC recommends a few toys each year that advance children's thinking.
Toys were selected with consideration of the Maryland Content Standards.  Some of those standards are:
  • Constructing Knowledge: Raise questions about the world around them and be willing to seek answers to some of them by making careful observations and trying things out.
  • Applying Evidence and Reasoning: People are more likely to believe your ideas if you can give good reasons for them.
  • Communicating Scientific Information: Ask, 'How do you know?' in appropriate situations and attempt reasonable answers when others ask them the same question.
  • Technology: Design and make things with simple tools and a variety of materials.
  • Technology: Practice identifying the parts of things and how one part connects to and affects another.
  • Technology: Examine a variety of physical models and describe what they teach about the real things they are meant to resemble.
  • Patterns and Functions: Identify, copy, and extend non-numeric patterns.
  • Problem Solving: Apply a variety of concepts, processes, and skills to solve problems.
  • Reasoning: Justify ideas or solutions with mathematical concepts or proofs.
Parents are encouraged to view the full list of science and technology standards and the full list of mathematics standards as a guide for selecting addition toys in addition to those recommended.

2015 Toy Recommendations

NASA/GSFC Code 200.9
Building 90
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
info@gcdc-nasa.org
Phone: (301) 286-8588

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GCDC Philosophy
It is the philosophy of the Goddard Child Development Center to create a stimulating environment in which children can learn through exploration and discovery with teachers acting as facilitators.