We partner with school administrators and teachers on-site to craft and implement integrated science curricula that engages students and improves performance across grade levels and subject areas. Partner schools receive pre- and post-curriculum evaluation and integration maps, professional development, teacher observation and coaching, administrative and organizational support, and assistance applying for funding.
Building Robotics Partnerships
Every few years, CityScience identifies a STEM Education challenge and dedicates our time, resources and expertise toward solving it. In 2015, we identified the lack of FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams hailing from Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD)-funded after school School's Out New York City (SONYC) sites. By building the capacity of after school staff and school teachers, this program is increasing the number and diversity of new FLL teams.
Similar to a college course, we have designed a series of robotics programs that progress from 101 to 201 to 301 to 401.
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How it Works
So this sounds like starting a LEGO Robotics team will be a lot of work? You are right! You have to be up for the challenge and bring your A-game. To help you unlock your potential, let's explore what each side of a Building Robotics Partnership is responsible for.
Getting Started
During the first year and a half, CityScience gets you up and running by providing:
- Curriculum and all materials necessary for Circuit City 101, 201, 301
- 1 dedicated STEM Coach with expertise in robotics
- 1 dedicated Technical Assistant to help students wrestle with mechanical engineering, coding, etc
- A monthly stipend for 1 school teacher and 1 youth development worker interested in co-teaching robotics
- Monthly workshops, weekly homework and individual coaching
- Administrative, logistical and organizational support
- Strategies for sustainability and identification of funding opportunities
- Feedback survey
After successfully completing 101, 201 and 301 you will be ready to compete.
FLL Competition
When the FLL competition begins, CityScience will provide:
- A year-long robotics curriculum and dedicated class websites differentiated for 3 different levels of expertise
- Strategies for sustainability and identification of funding opportunities
- All registration fees, transportation costs and presentation materials for FLL events and parent showcases
Support:
- Weekly visits and phone check-ins from your CityScience STEM Coach
- 36 weekly visits and on-site support from CityScience FLL Technical Advisor
- Monthly:
- stipends for one classroom teacher and one youth development worker, who will be co-leading the FLL team
- trainings, weekly homework, classroom observations and feedback sessions
- reports based on observations and feedback survey data
Materials:
- Use of 10 LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Core Sets on a cart with a laptop plus 2 LEGO EV3 sets for the teacher and youth development worker's home use ($10,000 value)
- 1 tournament-size FLL table for the Robot Game, including the tournament mat and LEGO models
What do the After School and School partners provide?
- A buy-in fee of $12,420 a year (this is approximately a third of the total cost of services received)
- One classroom teacher and one youth development worker to lead your new FLL team from September 2017 through March 2018
- A minimum of 6 hours per week for the team to meet after school
- A maximum of 10 students for the FLL team
- Storage for all FLL materials, including LEGO rolling cart, display boards for the Project, Robot Game table, and playing mat
- Deliver weekly student attendance data
- Open and honest feedback to help CityScience improve the program
Application Process
Partners are selected through a competitive application process. It is strongly encouraged that school and after school leaders consider how they will work together before completing an application.
Applications are due December 1st and will be reviewed by a panel of educators. Semi-finalist phone interviews will be held the week of December 11th. In-person finalist interviews will be held the week of January 8th. Decisions will be made January 15th.