Pre-STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math)                                

CHIP launched a Pre-STEAM program in January 2020, in order to provide a strong foundation for enrolled low-income children who are historically less prepared for school in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.

The new, Pre-STEAM program and customized curricula will be used on home visits with children ages 3 through 7.   Activities will include nursery rhymes (to tie into the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening at Pre-K and Kindergarten) art activities, creative play for math skill development and a book that ties into the activity presented. The activities will be left with the family so the child can repeat it throughout the month. In addition to the monthly in-home activities, a STEAM lab will being held in partnership with the Melrose Library that includes hands-on STEAM activities for the parent and child to do together as well as dinner for the entire family. 

CHIP receives baseline PALS testing data from Roanoke City Public Schools on CHIP children entering Pre-K and Kindergarten.  The plan is to evaluate the improvement in the percentage of children that pass the fundamental components of literacy when entering into the school system.