The Salvaggio Little Learner’s Lab in the STEAM Learning Center at Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion is a vibrant space designed for preschoolers and their parents to explore hands-on STEAM learning.
Through engaging activities led by skilled educators, young children develop crucial skills in a language-rich environment. This lab also serves as a hub for training educators and testing STEAM activities, supporting early childhood education in the region.
Community Drop-Ins
Community Drop-Ins are a FREE community program within the Salvaggio Little Learner’s Lab that are centered around parents and their little ones, ages 3-4.
Join in experiences that engage in all things STEAM while promoting exploration and discovery through hands-on activities that are created for early learners. All sessions are facilitated by professional educators and all materials and supplies related to the activity will be included.
Community Drop-in Hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday | 10:00 – 11:30 AM |
| Saturday & Sunday | 1:00 – 3:00 PM |
Weekly Activities
| Week | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 16 – 22 | Count the Hearts | Practice early math skills by counting, sorting, and comparing heart-shaped objects. Explore numbers, patterns, and size comparisons in a playful and developmentally appropriate way that supports number sense and fine motor skills. |
| Feb. 23 – March 1 | STEM Focus: Science & Technology – Force and Motion | Test how different objects respond to wind. By blowing through straws or using gentle air movement, observe which materials move faster or farther, building an early understanding of force, motion, and cause-and-effect. |
| March 2 – 8 | Weather Watchers | Build a simple weather tool (like a windsock or weather spinner) and test outdoors or near a fan to learn about wind and weather. |
| March 9 – 15 | Growing Scientists | Plant bean seeds in clear cups and observe plants grown. Make observations and share what you notice about changes each day. |
| March 16 – 22 | Water Wonders | Explore how different objects sink or float in water by predicting, testing, and classifying items. |
| March 23 – 29 | Motion & Marching | Build ramps using cardboard, blocks, and tubes, then test how cars, balls, and other objects move at different angles. |
| March 30 – April 5 | Spring STEM Favorites | Enjoy a mix of favorites from March – weather tools, planting, sink/float tests, and ramp play. |
Drop-in FAQs
Little Learners: My Grown-Up & Me Workshops
Looking for something more in-depth than Community Drop-in hours?
Little Learners: My Grown-Up & Me is a program for preschoolers ages 3-6 and their adults and offers:
- guided instruction from an educator for deeper learning
- longer, more immersive activities aligned with STEAM skills
- fun projects to take home and continue the learning
- smaller group sizes for more personal interactions
Taking place in the Salvaggio Little Learner’s Lab within Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion, learners will investigate, experiment, make observations, and ask questions.
Each session is created to stand on its own, but when attending multiple sessions, your little one will be able to put it all together to see the big picture.
Registration is required for all programs, and adults must remain with their child at all times.
Pre-K through Kindergarten Summer Camps
Get ready for hands-on science fun all summer long at Da Vinci Science Center’s Pre-K through Kindergarten summer camps! Spark curiosity and promote early STEM literacy with four exciting camps over eight weeklong sessions.
- Monday-Friday, 1-3 p.m.
- Price: $125/week
- Members save $15 with code HDCAMP26
- Campers bring their own snacks
- Registration closes one week before each camp begins
Little Learners On Wheels
Little Learners on Wheels is a mobile STEM story time program that brings hands‑on science learning directly to schools, early‑childhood centers, libraries, and community partners. Each 1-hour session includes a story, STEM stations, vocabulary building, and reflection.
- Ideal for ages 3-5
- Aligned with early learning standards
- Sensory-rich programming
- Supports literacy + STEM integration
- Flexible scheduling for classrooms and community sites
- Bilingual family resources
- We bring the everything – you only need to provide a space, tables, chairs, and excited learners!
