Monthly STEM nights at a Dallas early childhood center are transforming evenings into hands-on learning laboratories where students build bridges, race marbles, and explore robotics alongside their families.
The initiative at N.W. Harllee Early Childhood Center, which serves students in grades Pre-K -2, is supported by the Dallas Education Foundation and PNC Bank, according to a Dallas ISD press release. The collaboration demonstrates how community partnerships can extend learning beyond traditional classroom hours.
Young students tackled engineering challenges typically reserved for older children at the most recent gathering. They constructed outdoor shelters, designed marble tracks, and tested homemade bridges for structural integrity.
Inside the school, children experimented with boat designs to determine maximum cargo capacity. Even the youngest participants explored coding fundamentals through age-appropriate robotics activities.
Community support amplifies the program’s impact. Organizations, including Southern Gateway, Girls Inc., Dallas Public Library, Dallas Parks and Recreation, and the Dr. Elba and Domingo Garcia West Dallas STEM School, contribute resources and expertise.
“It’s honestly one of the most magical nights we have all month. It feels like the whole community is coming together to celebrate learning,” said Ashley Valentine, a teacher at N.W. Harllee.
Valentine observed remarkable transformations in student confidence.
“Even my quietest students were confidently explaining their marble tracks or testing their boats in the water station. It’s hands-on, it’s messy, and it’s full of joy—and they’re learning the whole time.”
The partnership between PNC and Dallas Education Foundation ensures these monthly events remain accessible to all families. The initiative reflects the growing recognition that early STEM exposure can shape future academic trajectories.
As Valentine noted, these evenings build more than physical structures. They construct confidence, nurture curiosity, and cultivate lasting enthusiasm for scientific exploration.