Applying Mechatronics to Promote Science (AMPS)

AMPS, a collaborative partnership among NYU-Poly faculty, NSF Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12 Fellows), K-12 teachers, and K-12 students, aims to

 

  1. Broaden the educational experience and training of graduate students (Fellows);
  2. Enhance technological proficiency of teachers; and
  3. Afford opportunities to K-12 students to develop, apply, and enhance their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills.

 

AMPS project takes advantage of students' fascination with robots, by using this as a hook, to stimulate them to learn about STEM disciplines. In AY 2010, twelve Fellows are serving as engineers-in-residence at twelve K-12 schools. Fellows, in partnership with teachers, engage, mentor, and challenge students through mechatronics, robotics, and engineering activities, culminating in students' participation in a city-wide robotics competition. These activities, organized around the FLL competition and frequently embedded in the classroom, enable students to develop, apply, and enhance their STEM skills. Participation in the AMPS project broadens the educational experience of Fellows, who also conduct cutting-edge research in: marine systems, image processing, biomolecular diagnostics, etc


Fellows perform demonstrations and hands-on laboratory activities at their respective schools. These activities enhance offerings of science, math, and technology courses. Fellows also perform following types of activities: help students with their assignments during class, tutoring and review for exam preparation, conduct tutorials, help students in preparing their science project presentation boards, work with the science research students, etc. Fellows have developed important relationships with students, helping them to understand what engineers do and encouraging them to consider career goals in STEM disciplines. Moreover, Fellows have helped teachers become current with STEM content, technology, and career opportunities.


We thank NSF for its generous support. (NSF Award No: DGE-0741714)

National Science Foundation (NSF)National Science Foundation (NSF)

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