Central Brooklyn STEM

Central Brooklyn Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Initiative

“I believe that robotics can inspire young people to pursue science and engineering.” -- President Barack Obama, November 23, 2009

 

Founded in 2007 with the Foundation’s support, NYU-Poly’s Central Brooklyn STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics) Initiative (CBSI) pairs teachers from under-resourced Brooklyn schools with graduate fellows from NYU-Poly’s engineering programs to design dynamic, hands-on classroom lessons, helping to develop both teachers and graduate fellows. NYU-Poly fellows spend summer recess training in mechatronics and robotics, using LEGOs to develop grade-appropriate, hands-on science and math lessons. They then work with Central Brooklyn teachers to create engaging, real-world projects in science and technology. 

Over the course of a summer, teachers work with fellows to research and design projects for the classroom. When school resumes, the fellows and teachers continue their partnership, bringing robotics projects to life with students and exposing them to tools and techniques used by scientists and engineers.

WHY CBSI? 

The results of the robotics initiative can be seen in the success of the CBSI-mentored teams of students who participated in the recent FIRST LEGO League robotics challenge: Of the 16 CBSI-mentored teams competing in the rigorous Brooklyn Qualifier, 13 advanced to the citywide finals. CBSI has a profound and measurable impact on students:

  • More than 80 percent of students in the program raised their math and science scores by one-half to one full letter grade. It is so successful that the National Science Foundation chose projects from this program for the first-ever national science fair.
  • More than three-quarters of the students said the program increased their interest in STEM subjects and careers.
  • Science and engineering careers are among the most lucrative, yet women and minorities are vastly under-represented. CBSI encourages youngsters to pursue those studies at an age when they are most prone to losing interest in school.

Download our report on the Central Brooklyn STEM Initiative published in June 2010 (PDF)

EXPANSION

In February 2011, the Foundation announced an expanded partnership to help encourage Brooklyn’s young people to explore careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Brooklyn Community Foundation’s $500,000 grant to Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly) aims to triple the number of under-resourced Central Brooklyn elementary, middle and high schools that employ students’ fascination with robots to engage their interest in STEM subjects. The three-year gift aims to expand the program to 36 schools. More than 80 percent of students served are minorities, and half are females. Both groups are historically under-represented in the STEM disciplines and careers.

The CBSI pilot was created in through grants from the Independence Community Foundation (ICF) – now the Brooklyn Community Foundation – and the J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation.  Since 2007, the Foundation has contributed $800,000 to this educational program. Its cornerstone contribution also allowed NYU-Poly to obtain funding from the National Science Foundation's GK-12 Fellows Program to support the graduate fellows.

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