The Mercer Center for Preschool Science, Mathematics and Health Education

Acting Directors
Dr. Robert Lawrence
Tift College of Education, Teacher Education, Atlanta

Dr. Julie Jones
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing

Mercer Participation
Tift College of Education
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing

Description
This proposed center, in its first year of funding, will build on a strong existing partnership with a state-wide nonprofit, Sheltering Arms and its Georgia Training Institute, to develop, field test, and assess materials and methods for preschool teachers in the areas of science, mathematics, and health. The proposal is a response to an increasing national mandate for standards for pre-school education, as well as recognizing that inadequate academic preparation and childhood obesity are common variables for many at-risk populations of preschool children. The Center hopes to contribute in a unique way to a rapidly developing national conversation, to attract a newly emerging population of professionals seeking credentialing in pre-school education, and to offer exceptional research opportunities to Ph.D. students in Nursing and Education. Dr. Lawrence has extensive previous experience as director of Special Projects, Research and Accountability for the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and is currently the Principal Investigator for a U.S. Department of Education research grant on the teaching effectiveness of preschool teachers.