Our Vision
Re-imagine children as competent
thinkers and problem solvers!
We provide high-quality engaging professional learning and family engagement that teaches adults to “see and support” science as it unfolds in their classrooms, homes, and neighborhoods.
Our approach is flexible and aims to be contextually, culturally, and locally relevant to teachers, families and children.
As a result, children are provided opportunities and encouragement to engage in 21st century thinking skills setting them on a strong foundation for life-long learning.

Talks & Presentations
At the Early Science Initiative, we are dedicated to teaching the world to reimagine young children as scientists. To do this, we invest concerted efforts toward dissemination across a variety of platforms, reaching various audiences. Below you will find several talks and presentations that help to communicate the power of science in early childhood.
Spice Up Your Tasty Tuesday with a Science Lens
March 2022
Everyday routines such as mealtimes are rich opportunities to engage infant, toddler and preschoolers in using their senses, surfacing not only science but rich vocabulary.
Recorded Webinars
Talks and Related Videos
May 2022
Provocations around light and shadow can engage young children in a variety of investigations. What may begin as a curiosity around a shadow outside on a sunny day can extend into opportunities to engage children in earth science and physical science. In this session we will explore ways to respond to these curiosities in the classroom in a hands-on, minds-on way within a meaningful context.
Exploring Light and Shadow
Why Science? Understanding science as a driver of quality teaching and learning
April 2022
Young children are naturally curious and eager to learn about the world around them. Through science, children are active learners, develop 21st century thinking skills and engage in all learning domains. Join us to see how integrating science into your daily routines and classroom experiences can drive learning and promote high-quality teaching practices.
Together We Shine: Equitable Family Engagement
Co-designing Young Children’s Learning Experiences with Families
November 2, 2022
As part of a co-facilitated discussion by Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, Dr. Daryl Greenfield, along with Sheetal Singh, John Thomas, and Patricia Puntier, leaders in the ECE field, discussed equitable family engagement in programs serving children from birth to 5 years. This important conversation touched upon the real meaning behind "equitable engagement" as well as the relationships between schools and the families they serveWhat do those words mean to us?
Click here to view.

Podcast: Science Opportunities are Everywhere
August 9th, 2022
Wonderful podcast by Teachstone featuring our very own Dr. Daryl Greenfield. In this session, entitled Science Opportunities Are Everywhere, Dr. Greenfield highlights how young children are such great scientists as well as how to make science more accessible to them. Joined by Dr. Veronica Fernandez from Teachstone, also a former student of Dr. Greenfield's, the podcast also highlighted how science can support greater justice within the classroom with culturally and contextually relevant experiences. Click here to listen.
Keynote on Science and Literacy as contexts for high quality interactions at the 2021 CLASS InterAct Conference
March, 21st 2021.
Dr. Daryl Greenfield was Keynote focusing on the Interactions that matter most across content areas and how science can enrich a wide variety of learning experiences.
Unleashing the power of science in early childhood
March 2nd, 2021.
Professor Daryl Greenfield is a Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Miami. His work is positioned at the interface of research, policy, and practice at the international, national and local levels. His research examines school readiness with at-risk and dual language learners, with a specific focus on early science education.
RISE Project co-PI, Dr. Daryl Greenfield
Whole ChannelThis Video
RISE Project co-PI, Dr. Daryl Greenfield
Project RISE01:17
Daryl Greenfield, Ph.D. University of Miami Professor, Psychology & Pediatrics RISE Co-Principal Investigator Readiness through Integrative Science and Engineering (RISE). Learn more about the project here.
PD for All Daryl Greenfield interview
October 5, 2017
Dr. Daryl B. Greenfield, professor of psychology and pediatrics at the University of Miami, shares his thoughts about early childhood science learning. Dr. Greenfield was the keynote speaker for the first institute in the 2017-18 Professional Development for All series Oct. 5 and 7. The focus of the institute, entitled "Children as Scientists: Scientific Inquiry for Every Child," was encouraging young children’s natural curiosity about science and supporting scientific learning during the years from birth through age 8. Shannon Sherman, director of communications at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, interviewed Dr. Greenfield.
White House Symposium on Early STEM
Professor Greenfield was one of the invited speakers at the all-day symposium on Early Childhood STEM, held at the White House and attended by funders, researchers, and policymakers from communities across the U.S.
Professional Development for All keynote Oct. 5, 2017
October 5, 2017
Keynote address by Dr. Daryl B. Greenfield, professor of psychology and pediatrics at the University of Miami, entitled "Not Too Early But Just Right: Why Early Science Education Is Key to Building a Foundation for High-Quality Teaching and Lifelong Learning." Greenfield was speaking Oct. 5, 2017, in Omaha at the first institute in the 2017-18 Professional Development for All series.