The Wire

Mouse is Looking for a Few Great NYC Squads to pilot the first "Specialist Badge" in Garage Robotics. Join us and learn the foundations of Robotics, Computer Engineering, & Electronics

What is Garage Robotics?

For Students:
As a Mouse Squad team member, you’re expected to know how to provide technical support. You can take apart a broken computer, fix it and put it back together. However, in Garage Robotics you won't be repairing anything. Instead, you will design from scratch a series of circuits, program a microcontroller and prototype your very own invention in the spirit of the Do-It-Yourself movement. Whether they are scientists, engineers, artists or hobbyists working late nights in their garages, DIY’ers have created numerous works of art, created breakthrough electronic devices and shown that anyone can be an inventor.

For Coordinators:
Garage Robotics is the first in a series of "Specialist Badges," or extended certification opportunities for experienced Squad members, being written and tested for Mouse Squads. This pilot curriculum is being offered to select New York Squads seeking "next level" content to grow your students' interest, enthusiasm, and skill. GR is an extended introduction to the foundations of electrical, robotic, and computer engineering. It's the ultimate first step for the budding engineer, curious technician, motivated tinkerer or Robotics and Electronics enthusiast. Over the course of these sequenced semester-long activities, Squad Members will cover topics like Understanding Circuits, Voltage and Current, and Basics of the Microprocessor. All GR Badge activities are hands-on and culminate with students designing and building their own invention. While much of the GR certification activities are self-led, Coordinators should be prepared to facilitate the learning process based on the level and experience of your students.

How does it work?
Selected pilot sites will attend a Kickoff workshop on January 21st. During the workshop, Squads will get acquainted with the Garage Robotics fieldguide and work with Mouse's Garage Robotics coaches from Vision Education to get started with GR activities. Pilot Squads will return to their school sites to continue GR activities at their own pace, facilitated by Squad Coordinators, and will come back together for additional coaching during workshops in March and May.

Where does it happen?
During the Spring, 2010 Semester, Mouse will pilot this curriculum with select New York City Squads. As part of this pilot phase, selected Squads will have access to three afterschool "coaching" workshops:

• January 21st (KICKOFF!)
• March 11th
• May 13th

Workshops will be 2.5 hours during afterschool hours (workshops begin at 4pm). All workshops will be held in Manhattan (Locations To Be Determined)

What do Squads get?
Squads selected to join the pilot phase of Garage robotics must attend the January 21st GR Kickoff Workshop. All Pilot Groups will gain full registration for all three 2.5-hour workshops, copies of the Garage Robotics curriculum for students and Coordinators, and a free pilot "Kit" to continue activities back at school. Squads completing all activities in the GR Specialist Certification, with final project, will earn the first ever Mouse Squad Specialist Badge.

How do we apply?
To participate in the Garage Robotics spring pilot, students must have the support of an active Mouse Squad Coordinator, or supporting staff member at school. Participation will be limited to 5 NY Squads or less dependent upon interest/alignment to goals of pilot sites.

More Questions?
Use the "comments" portion of this post to pose questions to our program staff, or call us: 212-920-3665