The Little Scientists

Some preschools are testing a new program that makes science the foundation for virtually everything youngsters are learning in school.

By Linda Jacobson

Rochester, N.Y.

On the snack menu in the afternoon prekindergarten class at Parkland Elementary School is a new item on the market: clear, strawberry-flavored Jell-O with tiny moon and star shapes. The child-friendly product would likely pique the interest of any finicky 4-year-old, but that's not why pre-K teacher Sheryl O'Shea chose it. The jiggly treat is a perfect complement to the students' study of color and light.

"It's transparent," says one girl as she looks through the small plastic cup.

"No,...