Cate Heroman is passionate about helping young children become confident, creative thinkers and problem solvers. With decades of experience as a teacher, consultant, author, and advocate, she has dedicated her career to fostering curiosity and hands-on exploration in young learners. Cate believes that STEM education begins in early childhood, when attitudes about learning and problem solving are first formed. By nurturing creativity and curiosity, she hopes to equip children with skills to tackle challenges we can't yet imagine.

As a founder of Knock Knock Children's Museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Cate helped shape its focus on early literacy and STEAM education for children from birth to age 8 and their families. She worked with staff, board members, and museum planners to apply best practices in early childhood education and early STEM, creating engaging, hands-on experiences. The museum, nationally recognized as a regional hub for maker-centered learning, serves as a charging station for playful, informal STEAM exploration. Through this initiative, Cate also supported regional school teams of educators in integrating tinkering, making, and engineering into their pre-K through third grade classrooms. Through her church, Cate volunteers in local classrooms, bringing STEAM-rich story times to young children. These experiences have deepened her understanding of how children of different ages think with their hands and allowed her to prototype and refine the design challenges in this book.

Cate holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Louisiana State University. As a grandmother, she has found joy in watching her four grandchildren grow up discovering the excitement of making, tinkering, and exploring STEM--an enthusiasm instilled in them during their early years. She hopes to inspire educators to create spaces where children feel empowered to explore, create, and solve problems.

Grounded in current research and knowledge of child development, learning science, and motivation, Making and Tinkering with STEM offers field-tested design challenges linked with high-quality children's books to spark children's imaginations and tinkering skills. This must-have resource for anyone working with young children invites teachers and caregivers to step into children's play--not only to deepen children's learning, but also to rediscover their own joy of discovery.

--Jennifer Baumgartner, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Louisiana State University

As someone who had the immense honor of piloting many of the design challenges in this book, my biggest takeaway is that tinkering is a place where everyone belongs. This book inspires deep critical thinking without any barriers. Above all else, it shows children the immense power they have when they combine their hands and their brains. 

--Kylie Altier, First Grade Teacher, McKinley Elementary School, and 2024 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year

This inspiring book grounds STEM in developmentally appropriate practice and a deep knowledge of children. It offers invaluable guidance on creating an environment that supports playful learning, integrating the arts and literacy, and making every design challenge appropriate for children ages 3 to 8.

--Diane Trister Dodge, Early Childhood Educator and Founder, Teaching Strategies

Brilliant descriptions of STEM in action with young children entice readers to jump in with both feet. The design challenges illustrate rich learning experiences for every child, inspiring endless possibilities! Cate's passion as a lifelong tinkerer shines through.

--Monica McCarthy-Aton, Program Manager, Partnership for Children of Lincoln and Gaston Counties

Publisher: National Association for the Education of Young Children

Pub date: 2025-11-25

Length: 208 pages