Early Childhood Literacy Initiative Launches Targeting Next-Generation Innovation With STEM+Arts Approach

RIF Releases STEAM Multicultural Book Collection Connecting STEM, the Arts and Early Learning

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is launching a multi-year early childhood literacy campaign to inspire the next-generation of innovators through an approach integrating the arts with STEM learning (science, technology, engineering and math). The campaign is anchored by today's release of RIF's 2012-2013 Multicultural Book Collection, comprised of 40 children's books and related activities using STEAM-themes.

"The next Mark Zuckerberg may be that 8-year-old child RIF serves whose only books are the ones we provide," said Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO of RIF. "The skills today's students need to succeed as tomorrow's pioneers should start at the earliest possible opportunity with an approach that builds on their natural curiosity. As a country, we're missing the mark with few resources explicitly aimed at STEAM education for our youngest students."

Rasco added, "This initiative is about inspiring the innovators of tomorrow early with engaging books and resources that connect the dots between science, technology and the arts from broad-ranging cultural perspectives. From DaVinci to Madame C.J. Walker to Steve Jobs, our greatest innovators are those who are as creative as they are precise, as imaginative as they are methodical. STEAM-based learning aims to nurture every facet of innovation."

This year's collection will be accompanied by a set of free downloadable activities for parents and educators to engage children in literacy development, based on the Common Core Standards adopted by 45 states in the nation.

"Out of 30 developed countries, our students in the U.S. ranked 14th in reading, 17th in science literacy and 25th in math literacy. There are stark gaps here at home with low-income students scoring lowest and white and Asian students outpacing African-American, Hispanic and American-Indian students," said Rasco, detailing results from the most recent Program for International Student Assessment and the National Assessment of Education Progress reports. "Our focus on STEAM literacy ultimately supports a national priority to ensure all American students receive the skills and knowledge required for success in the 21st century workplace."

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