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Early Science with Nico & Nor

Product or Programme · All products and programmes
Evidence · 6 claims (5 for, 1 mixed) · 9 studies (5 causal, 4 design), q1–q2 · 0 of 9 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description

A co-designed preschool science curriculum developed by teachers, families, curriculum and media developers, and researchers that uses playful, interest-based home and school experiences, digital supports, and family and teacher guides to connect science with engineering and mathematics.

Components

  • Early Science with Nico and Nor preschool science program: Early Science with Nico and Nor is a preschool science program "co-designed by teachers, families, curricula and media developers, and researchers." It "promotes early science learning through playful learning experiences inspired by children’s and families’ interests and every day experiences," links science with engineering and math, includes digital apps to support STEM learning, and includes a Family and Teacher guide that connect home and school learning. A Spanish version, Ciencia Preescolar con Nico and Nor, is also provided. (Early Science with Nico et al. (2022))
  • Nico and Nor digital games and apps for school and home STEM learning: The program includes free digital apps for iPad described as digital games that "support children’s learning accross school and home." The games "provide children opportunities to observe science phenomena and easily test and revise solutions." The overview names eight games: Wonder Farm, Puppy Park, Coconut Star, Coconut Canyon, Shadow Play, Berry Garden, Farmers Market, and Shadow Cave. The Spanish text adds that the games let children practice math and test and revise engineering solutions. (Early Science with Nico et al. (2022))
  • Nico and Nor digital games and digital journals for iPad supporting science observation, testing, and data practices: The program includes free digital apps for iPad: Nico and Nor games give children "opportunities to observe science phenomena and easily test and revise solutions", and Digital Journals "support engagement in science practices collaboratively", designed for "observation, data collection, analysis and reflection during science investigations". The games support learning across school and home. (Early Science with Nico et al. (2022))
  • Early Science with Nico & Nor preschool science program for home and school: Early Science with Nico & Nor is a preschool science program spanning three curricular units—Plants, Ramps, and Shadows—designed to promote science, math, and engineering across home and school. The report states "The program includes a Teacher's Guide, a Family Science Fun Guide, three digital science journals, and eight digital games." The Teacher's Guide organizes activities into four weeks per unit matching preschool formats, and the Family Science Fun Guide offers brief adaptable activities in English and Spanish. Guides are freely available via WGBH's First 8 Studios website and iPad apps via the Apple store. (Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Engineering: Linking Home and School Learning for Yo)
  • Early Science with Nico and Nor Teacher Guide with three units (Plants, Ramps and Shadows) and a Family Guide: The Teacher Guide is the program's classroom curricular resource. It "includes 3 units (Plants, Ramps and Shadows)", and each unit includes "a series of circle time, small group activity and learning center ideas to promote science, math & engineering in the classroom", plus support material for teachers and a Family Guide that links home and school learning. A QR code gives access to the guide. (Early Science with Nico et al. (2022))
  • Co-design collaborative team model for early science curriculum development: The program was co-designed by teachers, families, curricula and media developers, and researchers. The document names five process components: "Building collaborative relationships", "Centering children & families (asset-based approach)", "Co-designing, pilot testing and refining", "Evaluating implementation & outcomes", and "Disseminating lessons and resources broadly". Each partner contributed distinct roles: teachers shared classroom needs, families and educators' insights informed curricular resources and digital tools, and researchers documented learning goals and facilitated research activities to inform iterations. (Early Science with Nico et al. (2022))

Claims

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Key Sources

  • Early Science with Nico and Nor. (2022). WGBH Educational Foundation. https://www.wgbh.org
  • Early Science with Nico and Nor®. (2022). WGBH Educational Foundation. https://www.wgbh.org
  • Dominguez, X., Vidiksis, R., Leones, T., Kamdar, D., Presser, A., Bueno, M., & Orr, J. (2023, April). Integrating science, mathematics, and engineering: Linking home and school learning for young learners. Digital Promise. https://doi.org/10.51388/20.500.12265/180
Page metadata
Field Value
type product
id early-science-with-nico-nor
title Early Science with Nico & Nor
description A co-designed preschool science curriculum developed by teachers, families, curriculum and media developers, and researchers that uses playful, interest-based home and school experiences, digital supports, and family and teacher guides to connect science with engineering and mathematics.
status review
moved_from element/early-science-with-nico-and-nor-program, element/nico-and-nor-digital-games-apps, element/nico-nor-digital-games-and-journals, element/nico-nor-preschool-science-program-component, element/nico-nor-teacher-guide-three-units, theory/nico-nor-codesign-collaborative-team-model
product_kind curriculum
generated by process:sweep-kinds on 2026-10-10
trust unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources 2 — early-science-with-nico-and-nor-2022, dominguez-x-vidiksis-r-leones

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