![]() In conversation, Truglio often refers to early learners as “natural STEM-ists” because of their unquenchable curiosity about the world. Young children needed a good science teacher who learned the way they did: through trial and error. Because of his propensity for mistakes and his relentless determination, Grover was the perfect relatable, engaging, hilarious, fluffy science teacher for early learners. Soon, though, the team’s science advisers pointed out that what made Grover seem like the worst candidate for teaching STEM actually made him the logical choice. “He’s got great heart, he really tries his best effort, but he often fails, right? And I said, ‘Oh my goodness, how am I going to be successful in teaching children about these skills when he’s failing all the time?’” the Sesame Workshop Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content Rosemarie Truglio recounted at a STEM conference in October. It was an interesting idea, but using Grover seemed slightly counterproductive. “Why would we have Grover doing this? Why would we have him teaching STEM?” “Grover is a wonderful character, he’s such an innocent, but he’s so not knowledgeable about STEM,” said the Sesame Street writer Christine Ferraro, recalling the moment when the idea was pitched. Chronic Absenteeism Gains Ground as New ESSA Measure of Student Success.Atlanta School Turnaround Gets A Big Boost With $2.1 Million Grant.At Philadelphia’s Mastery Charter Network, Culture Is Key to Turn Around.One of the most influential media platforms for early-childhood education, Sesame Street needed a smart teacher, a brilliant scientist, a savvy engineer. ![]() The previous year, then-President Barack Obama began the Educate to Innovate campaign to boost math and science education. American students scored lower on science and math tests than their international peers. Research showed young children didn’t have a good understanding of their natural environment. It was a critical question for a critical moment. Which furry, wide-eyed Muppet could pull it off? But the team also wanted a character to embody the ideas of STEM in separate segments. That meant incorporating STEM throughout the show’s classic street scenes. The mission was to create episodes that would teach children about STEM-science, technology, engineering, and math. Or maybe the advisers? Whomever it was, seven years ago, dozens of Sesame Workshop team members were sitting in a room preparing for the 41st season of Sesame Street. It was a crazy idea, and even today no one is sure who thought of it.
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