This project will introduce 20 teachers from two Lower Hudson school districts and two Long Island school districts to hands-on engineering design in an intensive two-week (August 13–24, 2007) residential workshop at Polytechnic University. Participating teachers will have their technical competency enhanced through professional development in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (stem).

Teachers will be introduced to sensors instrumentation, and engineering in a structured and integrated learning environment. Guided training consisting of lectures, tutorials, structured engineering workshops, and discussions will expose the teachers to foundational elements of engineering through the use of sensors and computerized data acquisition. The program will make extensive use of team-based, real-world, engineering design projects based on the components of National Science Foundation (nsf) funded Project raise (Revitalizing Achievement using Instrumentation in Science Education). Teachers will be expected to reside on campus in the Polytechnic University residence hall for the duration of the project in order that they may pursue their studies with a minimum of distractions, and in order to facilitate the development of a supportive network of teachers dedicated to their students' pre-engineering studies. Moreover, professional and social meetings will be held to enable participating teachers to network with engineering faculty and practitioners from the engineering community.

By the end of the project, participants will have completed 70 hours of in class professional development. In addition, in the evenings and weekend participants are expected to take part in planned activities which will expose them to current engineering issues and achievements. These supplemental activities will provide an additional 15 hours of professional development.

Recent News (February 29, 2008): An article on the "New, GK12: Applying Mechatronics to Promote Science (AMPS)" project is available on the Poly website.

Recent News (February 27, 2008): Under the GK-12 Fellows program, Division of Graduate Education of the National Science Foundation has awarded Polytechnic University a grant titled "New, GK12: Applying Mechatronics to Promote Science (AMPS)." This award provides funding in the amount $600,000/year. Under NSF's continuing award instrument, the project duration is expected to be five years. Professor Vikram Kapila, will serve as the PI and director of the AMPS project. The Co-PIs of the AMPS project include Professor Magued G. Iskander and Professor Noel N. Kriftcher. In addition, the following Polytechnic faculty will serve as the senior personnel on the AMPS project: Professor Dariusz Czarkowski, Professor Rastislav Levicky, and Professor Maurizio Porfiri.

Recent News (February 15, 2008): An article on the "Central Brooklyn Robotics Initiative (CBRI)" project is available on the Poly website.

Recent News (February 5 , 2008): An article on the "Central Brooklyn Robotics Initiative (CBRI)" project is available on NY Daily News (pdf version).

Recent News (January 30 , 2008): An article on the "Central Brooklyn Robotics Initiative (CBRI)" project is available on Brooklyn Daily Eagle (pdf version).

Recent News (December 16, 2007): An article on the "Central Brooklyn Robotics Initiative (CBRI)" project is available on Our Time Press (pdf version).

Recent News (August 12, 2007): An article on the summer Workshop in Instrumentation, Sensors and Engineering (WISE) is available on the Poly website.

Recent News (July 20, 2007): An article on the the Summer Mechatronics Institute for Teachers (SUMMIT) is available on the Poly website.

Recent News (July 2007): The Independence Community Foundation and the J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation have awarded Polytechnic University a $226,449 grant titled " Central Brooklyn Robotics Initiative (CBRI) ." The project is led by Professor Vikram Kapila and Professor Noel N. Kriftcher.

Recent News (April 25, 2007): Under the Engineers of the Future Program, New York State Education Department has awarded Polytechnic University a $240,654 grant titled "Summer Mechatronics Institute for Teachers (SUMMIT)." The project is led by Professor Vikram Kapila (PI) and Professor Noel N. Kriftcher (Co-PI). 

Recent News (April 25, 2007): Under the Engineers of the Future Program, New York State Education Department has awarded Polytechnic University a $297,455 grant titled "Summer Workshop in Instrumentation, Sensors and Engineering (WISE)." The project is led by Professor Magued G. Iskander (PI), Professor Vikram Kapila (Co-PI), and Professor Noel N. Kriftcher (Co-PI).