Torrance preschool giving future engineers head start on STEM careers

TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- From the growth of AI to other futuristic advances, the demand for engineers will only get higher.

The Learning Experience preschool in Torrance is hoping to get children interested at a young age. Children are learning the fundamentals of engineering in a one-of-a-kind program called "Little Engineers."

The STEM-based activities and toolkits help the kids develop problem-solving skills, expand their creativity and encourage teamwork.

"We're play-based and Montessori-based, so I'm not lecturing, just guiding the children as they explore with just ramps and cars and other prepared, intentional materials," teacher Lorette Diaz said.

"Critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and it's going back and forth," center director Demi Lara said. "The children are asking so many questions and the teachers do open-ended questions so that they could just answer however they like."

Even toddlers as young as 18 months are developing new skills in a fun new way.

"Kind of like the same beat to the old nursery rhymes, but it's their own songs now," Wendy Rodriguez said.

And even if they don't grow up to be engineers, it's still sparking plenty of imagination.

The enrichment program changes every 17 weeks. Right now, it's "Little Engineers." Then it will be "Little Athletes" and in the fall, "Little Musicians."

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