Building the Evidence: Scientific Publications

  • Bayles, J.*, Peterson, A., Hedge, A., Jilcott Pitts, S., & Stage, V.C. (2021) Food-based Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Learning Activities May Reduce Decline in Preschoolers’ Skin Carotenoids Status Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2020.10.017 PubMed

  • Stage, V.C., Resor, J., Dixon, J., Hegde, A.V., Mendez, L., Lee, T., Brienholdt, R.*, Goodell, L.S., McMillen, V.J., Gilliam, E.M. (2023). More PEAS Please! Teaching Teachers How to Integrate Food-based Learning into Preschool Science. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.02.005 PubMed 2024 Best GEM Award

  • Dixon, J., Hegde, A.V., Goodell, L.S., Arnold, N., Swindle, T., Dev, D., Mendez, L., McMillan, V., Lee, T., & Stage, V.C.. (2023). Integration of Food-based Learning with Science in the Preschool Classroom: Implementation Gaps and Opportunities. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.01.002 PubMed

  • Méndez, L., Hegde, A.V., Lee, T., McMillan, V.J., Goodell, L.S., Bayles, J., & Stage, V.C. (2023). Let’s Talk: Linking Science and Language Learning in the Preschool Classroom. Young Children, 78(2), 66-72. PMID: 37605783 PubMed

  • Resor, J., Dixon, J., Wu, Q., Hegde, A.V., Lee, T.D., Goodell, L.S., Mendez, L., McMillan, V.J., & Stage, V. (2024) Associations between preschool teachers' food-based learning frequency, level of personal priority, and identified resources and challenges: A Needs Assessment. Nutrients. DOI: 10.339/nu16132140 PubMed

  • Hegde, A. V., Resor, J., Dixon, J. B., Méndez, L. I., Lee, T. D., McMillan, V. J., Goodell, L. S., & Stage, V. C. (2025) North Carolina Head Start teachers’ needs, resources, experiences, and priority for science education and professional development. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education (UJEC). DOI: 10.1080/10901027.2024.2413596 Pubmed

  • Dixon, J., Resor, J., Lewis, A., Lee, T.D., Hegde, A.V., Arnold, N.L., Mendez, L.M., Stage, V.C. (2025) Development of Educational Whiteboard Videos for Head Start Teachers on How to Implement Food-based Learning in the Preschool Classroom. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2024.09.006 PubMed

  • Lee, T., Dixon, J., Stage, V. Hegde, A., McMillan, V. J., Goodell, L. S. & Mendez, L. (2025). Observing Pill Bugs to Develop Phenomena-Based Professional Development for Pre-School Teachers. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00368148.2025.2506761

  • Stage, V.C., Dixon, J.B., Grist, P., Wu, Q., Hegde, A.V., Lee, T.D., Lundquist, R., & Goodell, L.S. (2025). A Food-based STEAM Program May Improve Preschool Children’s Science Knowledge and Language Skills in Rural North Carolina. Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu17091523 PubMed

  • Stage, V.C., Dixon, J.B., Grist, P., Hegde, A.V., Lee, T.D., Lundquist, R., Goodell, L.S. (2025). More PEAS Please! Process Evaluation of a STEAM Program Designed to Promote Dietary Quality, Science Learning, and Language Skills in Preschool Children. Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu17111922 PubMed

Publication Under Review

  • Dixon, J., Resor, J., Holmes, L., Hegde, A., Goodell, L.S., Mendez, L., McMillan, V., Stage, V.C. Understanding and Building Professional Learning Communities in Head Start: A Mixed Methods Study on What it Takes from Teachers' Perspectives. Journal of Early Childhood Research. Under Review.

  • Resor, J., Brown, T., Dixon, J., Hegde, A. V., Lee, T. D., Mendez, L., & Stage, V. C (corresponding). Valuing science while navigating costs and experiences: Head Start teachers' perceptions on science education. Journal of Science Teacher Education. Under Review

  • Lee, T., Stage, V.C., Méndez, L., & Paro, K. (2024). Exploring our World Through Investigating Trash: Recycle and Reuse. Young Children. Under Review

  • Hegde, A.V., Graham, L., Stage, V.C. "One Teacher at a Time": Examining a Model of Coaching and Mentoring in Early Childhood Education from the Mentor's Perspective. Journal of Research in Childhood Education. Under Review.

  • Stage, V.C., Dixon, J.B., Grist, P., Wu, Q., Hegde, A.V., Lee, T.D., Lundquist, R., & Goodell, L.S. More PEAS Please! Design and Implementation of Methodology of a Preschool STEAM Program to Promote Dietary Quality, Science Learning, and Language Development. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. Under Review

  • Blosser, E.G., Dixon, J., Lundquist, R., Donaldson, J.L, Goodell, L.S., Lambert, M., Hegde, A.V., Lee, T.D., Sugg, J.L., Hood, K., Chase-Brunelle, T., Stage, V.C. Seed to STEAM: How Extension Supported Gardening Can Enhance Science Education in Head Start. Journal of Extension. Under Review

  • Dixon, J.B., Blosser, E.G., Qu, W., Goodell, L.S., Donaldson, J.L., Lambert, M.D., Lundquist, R., Lee, T.D., Hegde, A.V., Stage, V.C. Beyond the Plate: Can a Food-based Science Learning Intervention Improve Preschool Children's Dietary Quality? Journal of Public Health Nutrition. Under Review

  • Stage, V.C., Dixon, J.B., Lundquist, R., Wu, Q., Lee, T.D., Hegde, A.V., Grist, P., Baldwin, S., Schmitt, A., & Goodell, L.S. Food-based Learning Program Improves Preschoolers’ Science Knowledge and Language Development. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. Under Review

Community & Annual Reports