More PEAS Please! Process Evaluation of a STEAM Program Designed to Promote Dietary Quality, Science Learning, and...

Background/Objectives: Traditional nutrition education can increase children's exposure to healthy foods, but preschool teachers face barriers such as limited time and competing priorities (e.g., kindergarten readiness). Integrating nutrition into other learning domains (e.g., science) has been identified as a potential solution. However, teachers need more professional development. We developed the More PEAS Please! program to support preschool teachers' integration of food-based learning (FBL) and science, seeking to improve children's science learning, language development, and dietary quality. Methods: In this pilot study, we used a mixed-methods process evaluation to assess the program in five Head Start centers (n = 23 classrooms) across three rural North Carolina counties. We collected teacher data via surveys and interviews. Results: A total of 24 teachers participated in the full intervention by attending a one-day workshop, completing at least one of four core learning modules, and implementing 16 food-based science learning activities in their classrooms. Teachers were Black/African American (81.1%) and 43.56 (11.89) years old. Teachers reported varying engagement levels and high satisfaction with the program, sharing increased confidence in FBL and science integration. However, barriers such as time, technology, and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) limited full participation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the program is feasible and well received in Head Start settings and has promising impacts on classroom teaching practices. The findings will guide revisions to the PEAS program. Future research evaluating the revised program using a comparison group will be explored.