and potentially in the workforce. To that end, businesses in the STEM fields like National Grid have sought through corporate citizenship programs to connect with and inspire young learners. (6) Studies have shown that simple, age-appropriate activities, like building a tower of blocks or spinning a mobile in a crib, can help encourage STEM learning. As a White House blog post on the importance of early STEM noted, Research indicates that as early as infancy, young children start developing and testing hypotheses for how the world around them works. . (7) A 2014 study from the University of California-Berkeley Center for the Study of Child Care Employment found that many early childhood practitioners feel poorly equipped to teach early STEM skills, making professional development and training opportunities critical. 3. Grant program (a) Program authorized From the amounts appropriated to carry out this Act, the Secretary of Education shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to assist early childhood education programs in carrying out early childhood STEM programs/activities. (b) Priority In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities described in subsection (e)(2)(D). (c) Application An eligible entity desiring to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may request. (d) Uses of funds An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant to carry out not less than one of the following: (1) Professional development relating to early childhood STEM activities for teachers of early childhood programs. (2) Materials and equipment necessary to carry out such early childhood STEM activities. (3) Establishing partnerships between the eligible entity and an institution of higher education to provide training in early childhood STEM activities for teachers of early childhood programs. (4) The provision of